| Abstract: | Aging of the population will present formidable challenges to countries struggling with underdevelopment. Nigeria is expected to have one of the largest populations of elderly in the world (over 16 million people over the age of 60 years by 2025). The task ahead is to alert the population to aging and public health concerns. There are difficulties in the lack of definition of aging as a point in time or in terms of function. In a rural community, many agricultural workers or high parity mothers may be functionally aged by the time they are 40. The problems faced by the elderly in rural areas are different from urban elderly due to differences in resource allocation. The needs of the elderly change with age and morbidity. Self-sufficiency is a requirement for the elderly regardless of housing arrangements. The elderly may appear to be in secure settings caring for grandchildren and receiving remittances, while in fact migrating parents may experience cost of living constraints, which prevent sending much money home. The elderly may have chronic health conditions or disabilities, which would make a long walk to a health unit difficult or impossible. Treatment for the elderly may be limited by a lack of pensions or trained personnel. The elderly may potentially be in a difficult emotional adjustment from independence to dependence. Trained health professionals, who understand chronic diseases, must dispense western scientific medicine with sensitivity and careful communication. Most health services are not prepared for services specific to the unique needs of the elderly but rather are more concerned with maternal and child health. Life expectancy has increased, and elderly people are the main users of health services. |
