ELDERLY ABUSE AND CHALLENGES IN NIGERIA: THE NEED FOR ADVOCACY AND POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

Elderly abuse is a significant problem in Nigeria. The aged have the fastest growing segment of the population world-wide and this growth is mainly taking place in developing countries, and as the number increases, there is no safety net in place for most of the elderly already living in the least developed and developing countries today. Traditionally in Nigeria, family is valued as a source where family needs are met; however, challenges have weakened most family networks that it is now difficult, if not impossible, to provide support to the elderly. Some of the elderly while in their active years have worked satisfactorily for the good of humanity. Now, they are helpless as a reason of inability to function well and help themselves; hence, the government reciprocity policy for social support despite the physiological retirement is important. Currently, the country still lacks appropriate policies and programs to support the growing number of elders. It means therefore that the prevalent problems of elderly abuse will keep increasing into the future. This will create major social, psychological and public health problems. Therefore, this paper assessed the elderly challenges in Nigeria, with the theoretical explanation of social disengagement and self-management theory to understand the genesis, nature and prevalence of the elder’s problem in Nigeria. The study concludes that the legislative and advocacy policies development with the lens of other nations and will reduce or combat the phenomena in Nigeria.