Over 1,000 elderly residents have received cash and food items donated by the Oyo State Government in the government’s commitment to catering for the welfare of the elderly in the society.
The state government also unveiled its readiness to designate one primary health care centre in each of the 33 local government areas of the state for the care of the elderly people.
Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Mrs. Toyin Balogun, stated this at an event organised to commemorate the International Day for the Elderly, held at the House of Chiefs, State Secretariat, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Balogun noted that the Governor Seyi Makinde-led government has been people-centric by putting several interventions that are aimed at making life more meaningful for all segments of the society in place.
According to the commissioner, the state government will soon kick-start an elderly-friendly healthcare in nine local government areas of the state, which will later be expanded to other LGAs before 2027.
The commissioner noted that the event, themed: “Ageing with dignity” was held to add value to the lives of the elderly demographic and to teach them on how to live a fulfilling life, free from health challenges, neglect and isolation.
Also speaking, a Nutritionist, Dr Tunde Ajobo, appreciated the Makinde-led administration for implementing policies that are friendly to the aged, including the prompt payment of pensions and gratuities, among others.
He charged members of the society to take care of their old ones so that they can enjoy their old age, just as he called on the government to organize sensitization programmes for the aged across wards and local government levels.
“Most elderly people get to know about things to do in old age, which is not supposed to be. We are supposed to be preparing people for this age so that they will be aware of different things.
“Most of them think old age is for sickness. Old age is to be enjoyed and not endured. The understanding has to be there about the things they need to know before getting to that old age in life. Anybody who is 60 years old is an old person.
“Some of the things that happen in old age are that there is pronounced dehydration. If they don’t take enough water, it will affect them.
“If an elderly begins to skip meals, it’s another thing to actually look into. It will surely have a long term effect, because it can lead to nutrient deficiency. As one is ageing, his stomach gets compacted and not as wide as when we are at youth. Even if they are going to take a small meal, it must be adequate and nutritious,” Dr Ajobo said.
