Family Support and Health Status of the Elderly in Imo State of Nigeria

This article highlights ageing issues in a community in a developing African nation. This exploratory study uses quantitative and qualitative methods. Seventy–five elders were sampled from Imo State, Nigeria. Results indicate that family support is potentially available at a ratio of 3 to 1 with most of the elderly depending on their children, wives, in–laws,and God. The elderly express satisfaction with family care and they rarely live alone. The elders attach greater value to non–material (physical presence/emotional) support. The most prevalent acute and chronic illnesses of the elderly are respectively malaria, followed by severe headache, flu, sleeping problems; and rheumatism/arthritis, followed by failing vision, general weakness and hip problems. The implications of these findings for policy are considered.