Concerns have been raised by stakeholders and advocates for the rights of elderly individuals in Nigeria regarding the increasing cases of abuse in the country.
They have highlighted that a significant portion of elder abuse is carried out by family members and caregivers who lack the necessary training and skills.
In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, stakeholders underscored the urgent need for state governments to adopt the National Senior Citizens Centre Act and the National Policy on Ageing, 2021.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, observed every June 15, was established by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006 and later recognized as a United Nations Day in 2011.
The World Health Organisation defines elder abuse as “a single, repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, resulting in harm or distress to an older person.”
Elder abuse, as noted by WHO, can manifest in various forms such as physical, psychological, emotional, sexual, or financial, and may stem from either intentional or unintentional neglect.
June 15 serves as a day to recognize and address elder abuse as a violation of public health and human rights.
The theme for this year is ‘Spotlight on Older Persons in Emergencies’.
In Nigeria, individuals aged 60 years and above are considered elderly.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics Nigeria Living Standards Survey, 2019, there are 14.8 million older persons residing in Nigeria, making it the country with the largest elderly population in Africa.
The report indicates that 50.2% are male, 49.8% female, with 5.3 million living in urban areas and 9.5 million in rural areas.
Additionally, data from the National Social Safety Net Coordinating Office, 2022, shows that approximately 2.5 million older persons are registered in the national data system for the impoverished and vulnerable.
The elderly population in Nigeria is projected to grow by 2.8% by 2050, estimating a total of about 30 million elderly individuals in the country.
The National Policy on Ageing, endorsed in 2021, is a policy aimed at acknowledging the contribution of senior citizens to nation-building while ensuring their security, independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment, and dignity.
It recognizes the diverse older population, addresses various challenges, and proposes interventions tailored to different socioeconomic statuses and health conditions, including cognitive impairment and dementia.
The National Senior Citizen Centre, established in 2021, is tasked with identifying and addressing the needs of senior citizens and integrating them into the national policy framework.
In an interview with PUNCH Healthwise, the Director General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Abuja, Emem Omokaro, attributed the prevalence of abuse in the country to the lack of trained and certified caregivers and the heavy reliance on family members for elderly care.
To combat abuse, the agency has introduced training and certification programs for caregivers and family members in state and tertiary teaching hospitals with geriatric centers.
She emphasized the importance of reducing vulnerability among older individuals to diminish abuse, highlighting the need for access to skilled caregivers. Collaboration with the National Health Insurance Authority and state governments aims to enhance domiciliary care coverage, easing the burden on families and reducing abuse.
Omokaro disclosed that through partnerships with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and sustained awareness campaigns using jingles and other materials, the rate of abuse and false accusations against older persons has declined.
The implementation of an “elder justice” program has created a support network for older persons to ensure access to justice, protection from abuse, and other necessary interventions.
Incorporating 40 ageing desks within various Ministries, Departments & Agencies and training 78 ageing desk officers in ageing policies and practices are part of the agency’s efforts to enhance understanding and support for aging individuals.
Collaborations with organizations like the National Human Rights Commission, National Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, National Emergency Management Agency, and the Red Cross are in place to address the specific needs of older persons during emergencies and in IDP planning.
Furthermore, partnerships with the Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, and state Primary Health Care Executive Secretaries aim to develop age-friendly facilities and services.
Emphasizing the natural process of aging, Omokaro stressed the importance of supporting and respecting older individuals within communities, creating an environment that is empathetic and age-friendly.
Discussing this year’s theme for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, she highlighted the fundamental rights of older persons to be recognized and respected as individuals with inherent value.
She urged for inclusivity and consideration of older persons’ needs, especially during communal living in IDP camps and emergency situations.
In closing, she reinforced the call for everyone to be a support system for older individuals, treating them with dignity and empathy, while fostering age-friendly environments.
Josephine Anenih, Founder and Chairperson of Alzheimer’s Disease Foundation, echoed the sentiment that a significant portion of elder abuse occurs within family settings.
Elder abuse is often kept concealed, enabling the perpetrators to continue their harmful acts without repercussions. Breaking the silence on this issue is crucial in deterring such behavior. When people openly discuss and expose cases of abuse against elderly individuals, it can act as a deterrent to some extent, according to Anenih.
Engaging communities in recognizing the signs of elder abuse is essential for addressing and preventing such incidents in the country. Anenih emphasized the importance of raising awareness about actions that constitute elder abuse, establishing reporting structures, and implementing measures to prevent the mistreatment of the elderly.
Anenih condemned the abuse, neglect, and violation of the human rights of older individuals, asserting that advancing age should not diminish their right to dignity and respect. She highlighted the need to protect the rights of the elderly, irrespective of their cognitive or physical limitations, emphasizing their fundamental human rights.
The impact of emergencies on the elderly, such as the challenges posed by COVID-19, was discussed by Anenih. She emphasized the importance of community support for the elderly during times of crisis and highlighted the need for comprehensive responses to cater to their needs effectively.
Anenih called for the implementation of social welfare programs specifically designed for the elderly to ensure they are not excluded from government policies. She advocated for insurance packages that provide free healthcare access for senior citizens, especially those in need.
Addressing the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAWD), Anenih urged Nigerians, especially the affluent, to engage in philanthropy for the betterment of older people and their caregivers. She stressed the significance of proper compensation and support for family caregivers, emphasizing the need for dedicated spaces or homes where the elderly can live with care, love, and dignity in their later years.
Anenih emphasized the importance of private investments in establishing well-maintained old people’s homes to provide elderly individuals with a dignified living environment. She highlighted the changing perceptions regarding old people’s homes and stressed the need for such facilities to offer proper care to combat societal disdain.
The arguments against old people’s homes are diminishing in light of modern societal challenges, according to Anenih. She criticized the practice of leaving aged parents uncared for in rural areas under the pretext of cultural norms, emphasizing the need for dignified living options for the elderly.