By Abiemwense Moru

As the global population ages, the need for adequate care and support for the elderly has become increasingly important.

In many societies, the elderly are often neglected, or left to fend for themselves. This usually leads to a decline in their physical and mental well-being.

The United Nations (UN) says the care of older persons is a human rights issue as older persons have the right to live with dignity, free from poverty, discrimination, and social isolation.

The UN also said the elderly people have the right to access healthcare, social services, and opportunities for social interaction and education.

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According to the UN, the society should work together to create a society that values and supports its elderly citizens and ensures that their rights are respected and protected.

Experts are of the opinion that community and faith-based organisations play a vital role in caring for the elderly.

The World Day for Grand Parents and the Elderly usually holds every October 1, with the theme for the 2024 edition being, “Do not Cast me Off in my Old Age.

A model of community-led initiatives is the Wisdom Care Foundation and Elderly People’s Forum of Christ the King Catholic Church (CKC) in Kubwa, Abuja, which provides a platform for socialisation, support, and education for the aged.

The foundation, which also helps to alleviate loneliness and promote overall well-being of the elderly, called on Nigerians to give adequate respect and support to the aged people.

Mr Wisdom Ndubuisi, Convener, Wisdom Care Foundation, made the call at a two-day event to commemorate the Catholic Day for Elderly Persons in collaboration with CKC parish, Kubwa.

The event which was organised in partnership with Beyond Health Initiative, had lined up a range of activities and services for some aged in the community to promote the welfare of the elderly communities.

“We equally calling on children and other well-meaning Nigerians to always respect and provide support for the elderly people around them,” he said.

Also, Mr Daniel Achimugu, Chairman of Human Life and family committee CKC parish, Kubwa, said the initiative was borne out of desire to look cater for the aged people and to improve their lives in health, welfare provision, among others.

He commended the donors and others for their show of concern for the lives of the elderly, adding that it would go a long way to ease their loneliness and make their lives worth living.

The highlight of the event was the participation of the elderly in fun activities such as singing, handball and brain teasing quizzes.

They also received gifts like clothing, umbrellas, food supplies and cash as well as awards to recognise outstanding performances among them.

The event aimed at reminding governments, individuals, groups and organisations of the need to care for the elderly.

Similarly, Archbishop Alfred Adewale Martins, Holy Cross Catholic Cathedral, Lagos, urged society to care more for the elderly.

He frowned at those who neglect their parents and grandparents at old age, emphasising the importance of showing care and love to attract God’s blessings of long life.

The Archbishop, while praying for the elderly said: “You are treasures to our families and to the society. We cherish your guidance and celebrate your experiences.

“Your golden years are a blessing to our society, and we are grateful for the love and memories you share with us.”

Experts say caregivers are the unsung heroes of elderly care by dedicating their time, energy, and resources to ensure the well-being of their loved ones.

They, however, said that caregiving could be a daunting task, both physically and emotionally.

The researchers opined it was essential to empower caregivers with the necessary tools, resources, and supports to enable them provide quality care.

Two of the leading health conditions for the aged are Alzheimer and dementia.

Dementia is a general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, according to medical experts

In ensuring more care for the elderly, some caregivers and advocates of people living with dementia called on Nigerians to take responsibility for identifying and advising people with Alzheimer’s disease to seek prompt medical attention.

At a symposium on Alzheimer’s disease and Brain Awareness, organised by an NGO, Christainment Health Awareness Foundation in Lagos, the founder of the organisation, Mrs Claudette Bemigho-Amorighoye, she was inspired by personal experience to set up the NGO.

“As a care-giver, I knew it was not easy to get diagnosis, identify and recognise the disease, but eventually, we got there.

“We are able to manage it has gone a long way to helping every family member, especially the older ones stay calm.

“So, we are trying to get many people, through this campaign, to identify, get their loved ones checked immediately and be able to manage it as much as possible. Dementia has no cure, but it can be managed,” she said.

Dr Oluwatoni Adeyemi, the Senior Special Assistant on Health to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, said that managing Alzheimer involved a multidisciplinary task.

She said that the country’s demographic population was changing and a study carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, showed that there were many cases annually.

“Managing Alzheimer’s disease is not just a doctor’s responsibility; it is multidisciplinary and so, there are many people that come together to give a holistic treatment,” she said.

The doctor said that although there was dearth of geriatric doctors in the state, however, the state was training more doctors to specialise in providing care for the elderly.

“We found out that there is need for the elderly care because we are having an ageing population; in the past we had a culture where we supported each other.

“However, with the advent of the ‘japa’ syndrome many young people are leaving; we need care givers and elderly homes to cater for the elderlies,” she said.

Ms Yemisi Ransome-Kuti, 70, said that there was need to demystify Alzheimer’s diseases to enable more people to become aware of the symptoms and take urgent steps to address it.

“We need to pay more attention to the signs and also be prepared because it is obvious that the more active you are, the more intellectually engaged you are.

“I urge everybody to see it as his or her responsibility to educate others; spread the information,” she said.

With deteriorating health conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, high blood pressure dementia and Alzheimer’s disease the aged are usually isolated. In more advanced countries they are kept in old people’s homes.

The wife of Ooni of Ife, Queen Ronke Ogunwusi, said that stigma was a huge challenge that must be addressed to change people’s attitude towards aged people and the diseases associated with old age.

Caring for the elderly is a collective responsibility. It requires a multifaceted approach that involves individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole.

By promoting awareness, education, and support, the society stands on a good stead to ensure that our elderly citizens live with dignity and respect.

News Agency of Nigeria