Mr. Lekan was everyone’s favourite in the estate. At 75, he was agile, filled with vigour, and cheerful. His two-storey house stood at the centre of the estate and was home to little children and the less privileged. Each morning, he walked to the estate gate to buy newspapers. Once every month, his family visited with gifts.
One day, as Mr. Lekan watered his plants, he fell. Luckily, someone was nearby and he was rushed to the hospital. When he was discharged, he was not the same again. He could no longer use his hands or walk without assistance. He had to move in with his children who, although they loved him very much, struggled to care for him while his health deteriorated until he passed away a year later.
Sadly, like Mr. Lekan, every year many of our elders suffer in various ways because they are not adequately looked after. It is so prevalent that every Nigerian knows someone or has a close relative whose life expectancy was shortened because they did not experience the best care possible. This illustrates how dire the situation is and why we all need to pay closer attention to our seniors.
Current State of Elderly Care in Nigeria
Who should care for the elderly? This has been a debate in Nigeria for as long as one can remember. Traditionally, family members are expected to provide home care for elders, whether or not they are equipped or disposed to do so. But this option is no longer effective or safe.
Family members who care for elderly relatives are usually not trained professionally to look after seniors. Therefore, no matter how hard they try, they cannot attend to all the elder’s needs or give them the best care they deserve. Many times, family members tasked with caring for their elders have other more pressing priorities but must forgo them to tend to their elderly loved ones. Neglecting their own needs to focus on the elder often affects the mental and physical well-being of these family members. So, it is not uncommon to find that carers often feel stressed, burnt out, dissatisfied and frustrated, especially when the elder needs extra attention, assistance, patience and compassion. In some cases, these family members take it out on the seniors. They become physically and/or verbally aggressive, often abusing, neglecting or altogether abandoning the elders.
Elder abuse is an unfortunate scenario that is quite rampant in our society. While the accurate prevalence rates are as yet undetermined in Nigeria, there have been some studies around it. A 2013 study conducted in Akwa Ibom reveals a high prevalence of elder abuse. About 46.7% of elders complained of medical neglect and bed sores while 47% experienced physical abuse. 44.7% reported lack of visitation while 33% have been victims of theft. Another 2020 study in Osun State recorded a high prevalence of denial of freedom, social isolation (88%) and verbal abuse (73%).
With the population of older persons in Nigeria set to hit 19.2 million and projected to increase to 30 million people by 2050, it is glaring that this traditional form of care is not sustainable. Our elders deserve better. They are worthy of care that honours them and prioritises their needs.
Is Elderly Care Really Important?
Old age, like infancy, is a stage in the cycle of life and requires much care and attention. During this phase, physical strength and health generally deteriorates. Seniors are often prone to diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart failure, joint pains and arthritis. For these reasons, our elders most often benefit from love, care and comfort to ensure that they can still lead healthy and fulfilled lives.
What quality of care should we provide for the elderly? In our cultural setting, it is widely accepted that our elders (not only our fathers, mothers, grandfathers and grandmothers but also including uncles, aunts, and others) are people who have made sacrifices for us. It is therefore only fitting that we repay by giving them the best care possible.
In addition to honouring them, we must never forget that our elders help us to preserve our culture and also ensure continuity. There is so much that the younger generations can learn from seniors. If we don’t look after our elders, will they be able to inculcate the culture, customs and values? According to the well-known saying, “What an elder sees sitting, a child can’t see even if he stands on an Iroko tree.”
Finally, our elders are people too. They have feelings, thoughts, hopes and dreams. Caring for our seniors in the best way possible will give them a sense of worth and purpose and encourage them to anticipate the days ahead with excitement rather than dread or uncertainty.
The most remarkable care you can give your elderly loved one is to let them stay in @Ìtọ́jú, our luxury senior living care home in Ogun State, Nigeria.
What is a Senior Living Care Home?
A senior living care home is a residential facility that provides housing and care services for older adults, some of whom may need assistance with daily activities. There, seniors are adequately cared for. These senior living care homes offer a wide range of support, including meals, medication management and assistance with personal care.
An ideal luxury senior living care home, like @Ìtọ́jú, is a thrilling place for seniors and is flexible. Residents receive visitors from time to time. They also engage in all sorts of fun activities as their interests and abilities allow.
Senior living care homes are a new concept in this part of the world. As such, there are still so many myths surrounding senior living care homes in Nigeria but we are here to change that. Subscribe to our blog and stay tuned to learn more.
@Ìtọ́jú: Your 5-Star Luxury Senior Living Care Home
Discover a haven of excellence at @Ìtọ́jú, our luxury senior living care home in Ogun State. We are government licensed and approved with UK standards. @Ìtọ́jú goes beyond providing a home – it offers a holistic experience where elders not only live, but thrive.
Our service is rooted in six core values: trustworthiness, care, competence, professionalism, joyfulness, and reliability. These values form the bedrock of everything we do at @Ìtọ́jú.
Why Choose @Ìtọ́jú’s Luxury Senior Living Experience?
At @Ìtọ́jú, we believe that elders do not have to give up a high quality of life because of their age. Instead, they should experience a new happy, joyful and peaceful phase of their lives.
We are a family business with heart. Our leadership team is a skilled, well-travelled family who love our elders and are committed to providing the care to UK standards.
Elders love our premium senior living care services for the following reasons:
- Trained Staff Who Care: Our personalised care is driven by our highly trained and qualified staff. We believe in offering nothing but the best for our elders, ensuring their well-being is in capable and compassionate hands.
- Nutritious Meals & Snacks Daily: Health is paramount, and we prioritise it through nutritious and personalised meals and snacks tailored to the unique needs of our elders. A healthy diet is fundamental to their overall well-being.
- Safe, Serene & Secure Premises: Nestled within a secure estate, our premises boasts three levels of robust security, creating a safe and serene environment. The gentle breeze adds a touch of tranquillity reminiscent of a day at the beach.
- 24/7 Electricity: Our residents enjoy uninterrupted power supply through our reliable infrastructure, guaranteeing 24/7 electricity. Even in the face of prolonged power outages, our residents are assured continuous comfort.
- 9-Level Filtered Water: We go above and beyond by providing water that surpasses the purity of bottled alternatives. Our 9-level filtration ensures that every sip is not just safe but exceptionally pure.
- Entertainment, Games & Activities: A vibrant life awaits our residents with a diverse range of entertainment, games, and stimulating activities. Keeping their minds and hands engaged, we create an environment that fosters joy and fulfilment.
- Health Insurance and Regular Check-Ups: Prioritising health, we leave no stone unturned. Our elders benefit from regular check-ups by qualified physicians, ensuring that their well-being is comprehensively addressed.
- Government Licensed & Approved: Committed to transparency and integrity, @Ìtọ́jú adheres strictly to all Nigerian government regulations and standards. We not only meet expectations but exceed them with unwavering dedication.
Our Luxury Senior Living Services include:
- Long-Term Residential Care – We provide personalised care when an elder needs assistance for daily tasks. You or your loved one will enjoy full board multi-star hotel-style accommodation with a private en-suite room.
- Short-Term Stay for Recuperation or Respite (at least 3 Months) – We offer short-term stay after hospital treatment or when the elder’s primary carer needs a break away from carer duties. You or your loved one enjoy the same multi-star hotel-style accommodation with a private en-suite room. Learn more about our services and pricing.
So, are you ready to take the next step and gift your loved one a luxury senior living experience at @Ìtọ́jú? Download the initial care questionnaire or contact us now.
