Medical experts and community leaders in Nigeria are advocating for a shift towards community-based care for older people. They argue that many retirees face loneliness, neglect, and health challenges as family structures and social support networks change. This call comes as the Abuja Christian Elders Forum Welfare Centre was opened in Navy Estate, Abuja, providing a space for senior citizens to socialize and access basic health services.
The Abuja Christian Elders Forum Welfare Centre offers a day-care program and short-stay accommodation for senior citizens. The center provides meals, games, fellowship, wellness activities, and social interaction for its clients. The founder of the center, Mrs. Margaret Olawumi Olanrewaju, stated that the initiative was driven by concern over the loneliness and loss of purpose experienced by some people after retirement. The center aims to give elders a place to interact and remain engaged.
The center's programs and services are designed to address the physical, emotional, and social needs of older people. The day-care program operates from Monday to Saturday, offering a range of activities and services. The residential facility provides private and semi-private rooms for elders seeking short retreats or a change of environment. Olanrewaju emphasized that the initiative was intended to give elders a place to interact and remain engaged.
The founder of the center, Mrs. Margaret Olawumi Olanrewaju, plans to replicate the model across the 36 states in Nigeria and beyond. However, she noted that government support would be required to achieve this goal. Pastor Kayode Oni, who delivered the keynote address, emphasized that retirement should not mark the end of an elder's contribution to society. He noted that older people still have experience and wisdom to offer.
Dr. Stephen Akeremale, founder of Brain Grace Ambulance Services, suggested that the center could provide a practical solution for families whose elderly relatives would otherwise be left alone during working hours. The center offers basic health monitoring, including blood pressure and blood sugar checks, with referrals where necessary. Akeremale's comments were echoed by Dr. Feyisayo Daji, Chief Consultant at the National Hospital, Abuja.
During a panel discussion on 'The future of elders' welfare', experts advocated for a shift from hospital-centered and institutional care to preventive, integrated, and community-based support. Matron Grace Eniola of the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, emphasized that financial assistance alone was insufficient for older people, who also need companionship and personal care. The Chairman of the Navy Estate Residents' Association, Rear Admiral Obiora Charles Medani, described the center as a social innovation.
The stakeholders emphasized that society should prepare people for ageing and that elderhood should be defined not only by age but by experience, wisdom, integrity, maturity, and continued contribution. They urged government to support private initiatives and encourage their replication across the country. The experts noted that traditional family support for older people was weakening as younger Nigerians increasingly moved away, leaving some elderly parents isolated.
Key points
- Medical experts and community leaders call for community-based care for older people in Nigeria
- The Abuja Christian Elders Forum Welfare Centre provides a space for senior citizens to socialize and access basic health services
- Experts advocate for government support to replicate community-based care initiatives across Nigeria
