21st April, 2017
Photo: Idowu Ogunleye
Dr Emem Omokaro, the Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, says that strengthening the family structure will help solve some of the problems faced by the elderly in the country.
Omokaro told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja that strengthening the family in terms of health, savings, social income and insurance would help manage the problems of older people.
She said that family was the first point of contact in taking care of the elderly, adding that if the structure is not solid, care of the aged would be defeated.
“This does not mean the family becomes health professionals; rather it serves as a support system for government efforts in strengthening primary healthcare, geriatrics and having trained social workers.
“Employment of the youths is another measure in care of the aged, if the youths are gainfully employed it will help lift burdens from off the elderly,’’ the director said.
According to her, old age grants will also help alleviate the challenges faced by senior citizens in the country.
Omokaro urged the Federal Government to put in place a national framework on ageing life-cycle to help provide for the elderly and alleviate their challenges.
The Dave Omokaro Foundation is a not-for-profit organisation, which partners with governments, institutions, agencies, development partners and individuals to develop capacities for translating internationally agreed policy frameworks into strategies and programmes on ageing.
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The foundation identifies training needs, organising and conducting training programmes in various areas of ageing, including health, social services, retirement, economic empowerment or curriculum development.
Over the past three years, the foundation has evolved integrated strategic initiatives that bring together multi sectors for consistent multidisciplinary international workshops, conferences and seminars.
It addresses the need for human capital development and coordination of programmes in the field of ageing and care of the elderly in Africa.