Determinants of Health Challenges and Healthcare Services Among Older People

Akeem Olalekan Ayub (), Rahamatu Shamsiyyah Iliya () and Oyewole Mariam Ayo ()
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Akeem Olalekan Ayub: Sociology Department, Postal: Federal University Gusau, Zamfara,, https://www.lcu.edu.ng/index.php/lead-city-journal-of-the-social-sciences
Rahamatu Shamsiyyah Iliya: Distance Learning Centre, Postal: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,, https://www.lcu.edu.ng/index.php/lead-city-journal-of-the-social-sciences
Oyewole Mariam Ayo: Sociology Department, Postal: Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria,, https://www.lcu.edu.ng/index.php/lead-city-journal-of-the-social-sciences

Lead City Journal of the Social Sciences (LCJSS), 2022, vol. 7, issue 1, 49-66

Abstract: Old age should be a leisure period, but for some older adults, it is the opposite due to lack of adequate care which has compelled some of them to beg at public events and parks or work at odd places. In underdeveloped nations like Nigeria, governmental and public plans seldom address socio-economic and gender concerns that affect older adults' health. However, findings from secondary data and online libraries affirmed that older adults lack essential health, medical, and social care, which are determined by the political economy of a country and the expenses associated with such provisions. Though elders are crucial to society, dishearteningly, they have been consciously and unconsciously abandoned in Nigeria compared to wealthy nations where they get adequate healthcare services, leaving them with no hope for tomorrow. Youngsters find it difficult to acquire suitable jobs after education, dashing the hopes of older adults who have invested in them to receive support when ageing. Poor health among older adults is worrisome since they are often neglected and exposed to health challenges such as malnourishment and other old age-related issues, reducing their pleasant social activities. The paper also found that poverty, lifestyle, marital status, and gender, among others, determine quality health among the elderly and concluded that such determinants worsen healthcare services for older adults. Maintaining healthy behaviours throughout life, mainly eating a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical and mental activity and capacity, delaying care dependency and refraining from tobacco use, are found to be significant to optimal health conditions among older adults. The paper concludes that addressing social challenges faced by young people will contribute significantly to achieving good health in old age.

Keywords: Ageing; aged; health; health determinants; healthcare services; older adults (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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