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Common Health Needs of Elderly People
By Florence Udoh, All Africa
Nigeria
January 20, 2005
Ageing is the period when one starts growing old, and this ranges from 60-65 years and above. Then, degeneration sets in which requires proper healthcare.
However, it appears that in Nigeria, healthcare needs of our senior citizens are not being provided for both by governments and families. Most people tend to regard the elderly as a nuisance and hence do not accord them the much required love, care and attention, laments one senior citizens, Mrs. Remi Kolawole, a retired nurse who is in her late sixties.
Mrs. Kolawole, who luckily is still gainfully employed as a physiotherapist with a Lagos-based non-government organisation (NGO), OASIS of Hope that caters for the health needs of people with bone/fracture problems; avers that the common health needs of elderly persons range from good shelter, provision of prompt medical services, recreational facilities to financial support.
She emphasised that giving them routine drugs such as multivitamins, calcium tablets, blood tonics which will help to strengthen their bones and enhance their appetite as well as regular checking of their blood pressure will go a long way in making life more worthwhile.
Mrs. Kolawole explained that the ageing period in one's life often comes with common ailments such as hypertension, arthritis, diabetes, impaired hearing, impaired vision, delirium, depression and cardiovascular problems and most of these ailments, if not all, have no cure but can only be managed properly for optimal health. Thus, the more reason why elderly people who are prone to these ailments should be well taken care of, Mrs. Kolawole averred.
She urged government to put in place adequate facilities that will cater for the needs of elderly persons such as recreational centers designed specifically to meet their health needs. Also more rehabilitation homes, Mrs. Kolawole said should be built across the states for senior citizens.
"There, more help can be rendered and appropriate care too, because God fearing individuals, charity associations, religious organisation, families and friends can always send gifts and other life caring materials to assist old people like us," Mrs. Kolawole emphasised.
While urging government to also put in the pipeline a scheme that will ensure the provision of free medical services to old people without financially capable relatives, Mrs. Kolawole explained that all relatives of elderly persons should endeavour to provide good food rich in vitamins and minerals to these senior citizens because wholesome food will ensure that they are kept healthily enough to live meaningful lifes.
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