Jika, Barbara Member, Khan, Hafiz T.A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1817-3730 and Lawal, Muili ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1502-3884 (2023) Working Together to Support Family Caregivers of Older Nigerian Adults with Chronic Illness at Home. Journal of Population Ageing. ISSN 1874-7884

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Abstract

In Nigeria, the burden of caring for older adults with chronic illness at home has a significant impact on family members that are the primary caregivers. This calls for support from relevant stakeholders that can help improve caregiver outcomes. Despite having in place an informal social support network that comprises of family, friends, religious and community groups, it is not enough to relieve the burdens of care. Studies suggest collaborative efforts between relevant stakeholders to support family caregivers. This study therefore aims to explore the perception of policy implementers, healthcare professionals, community, and religious leaders on support for family caregivers of cohabiting older adults with chronic illness in Benue, Middle-belt Nigeria. A convenient purposive sampling technique guided the recruitment process and in-depth semi-structured interviews was used to collect data from fourteen respondents in this qualitative study. Findings revealed that family caregivers needed three types of support: (1) create public awareness to recognise the family caregivers’ role; (2) identification of family caregivers’; (3) enhance access to training services that will help improve home care support. As a result: (1) health and wellbeing of family caregivers’ will be promoted; (2) a data base of family caregivers’ will be generated; (3) an organised system will be in place for stakeholders to assist. Therefore, relevant stakeholders such as community leaders, religious leaders, Healthcare professionals and non-governmental organisations with government taking the lead should work towards creating a programme, committee or department that addresses family caregivers’ immediate needs. This requires each stakeholder playing a specific vital role that focuses on an important holistic change to support family caregivers’

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1007/s12062-023-09436-3
Keywords:	Nigeria Chronic illness Family caregivers’ support Support network Older adults
Subjects:	Medicine and health
Depositing User:	Muili Lawal
Date Deposited:	08 Jul 2024 14:57
Last Modified:	04 Nov 2024 11:00
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/12118

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