Journal of Aging Science

Women, care giving and social support for the aged: The Nigerian perspective and its counselling implication

3^rd International Conference on Aging & Gerontology

July 18-19, 2018 | Atlanta, USA

Beatrice Ifeoma Ajufo

National Open University of Nigeria, Nigeria

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Aging Sci

Abstract:

Nigerian population has always been described as �??youthful population�?� but with gradual increase in the elderly population from 6.4 million in 2005 to 11.5 million in 2025 and 22.5 million in 2050 really calls for concern especially with no social security policies for them on ground by the Government. While most of the western world has accepted that the ageing of the population constitutes a vital public issue, in Nigeria the issue of the aged and their care has been regarded as personal problems falling under the expectation that the extended family will take care of its elderly members. However extended family system is diminishing and fast fading out. This study therefore sought to find out how much satisfaction the elderly are receiving from different categories of family members and friends. A cross- sectional descriptive study was carried out among retirees. Two research questions were generated for the study. Instrument for data collection was self �?? developed validated questionnaire. Frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation were used in data analysis. The findings revealed that the elderly people who feel satisfied with the support and care they receive from members of the family and friends (especially from their daughters) see �??Old Age�?? as a happy period. The findings therefore revealed that there is paradigm shift from the care of the aged by the extended family to the nuclear family especially adult daughters. Based on these findings, it was recommended among other things that structures should be put in place to promote and improve family relationship and appropriate legislation should be introduced to provide some measure of social services. The counselling implication was also discussed.