Family empowerment key to aging problems ― Expert

Dr Emem Omokaro, the Executive Director, Dave Omokaro Foundation, says family empowerment is key in solving some problems faced by the elderly in the country.

The executive director disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Abuja.

According to her, strengthening the family in terms of health, savings, income security as well as a sustainable insurance will help manage some of the older citizen’s plight.

Omokaro, who noted that family was the first point of contact in care of the elderly, said that if the structure is not solid, care of the aged would be defeated.

She, however, said that strengthening of primary healthcare, geriatrics and having trained social workers would help in care of the aged in the country.

The expert further identified youth empowerment as another measure, adding that if the youths are gainfully employed, it will assist in ameliorating the plight of the aged.

Omokaro said that grants for the aged would also help to alleviate some of the challenges faced by the senior citizens in the society.

She urged the Federal Government to put in place a national framework on aging life cycle in order to help curb problems of the elderly.