THE PROBLEMS AND EFFECT OF OLD AGE

THE PROBLEMS AND EFFECT OF OLD AGE

ABSTRACT

The study sought to explore the issues and consequences of old age in Enugu State’s Udi Local Government Area. The study was directed by the research questions. The study included 650 male and female participants of various ages. A questionnaire was utilized to collect data. The collected data was analyzed using the mean and standard deviation. As a result, findings revealed that the elderly encounter a variety of ailments/diseases. Recommendations were given based on the findings.

To complete the job, the researchers conducted oral interviews and created questionnaire copies based on means and standard deviation.

According to investigations, the reasons of elderly people’s issues range from remote to immediate. Poor family living arrangements, such as the formation of polygamous families, having so many children and not being able to provide suitable upbringing at a period convenient to the parents, are among the remote reasons. However, it was discovered that some causes are directly under the control of nature. Causes of childlessness include the death of a spouse or children, as well as many types of family disputes. Other discoveries revealed that the immediate causes include loneliness, poor health condition and lack of medical treatment, poor finance, inadequate housing accommodation, and a variety of others.

It is hoped that now that these concerns of the elderly have been identified, our current youngsters will improve on the past, and there will be fewer of these aspects of problems in our society in the future.

CHAPITRE ONE

INTRODUCTION

The Study’s Context

Obviously, living a long life is a gift from God Almighty; yet, the ambition and motivation of most people in Enugu State, particularly in Udi Local Government Area, and around the country is to be strong and healthy. However, old people have a stage in life where they can let go of negative attitudes that they acquired when they were younger.

In Igbo tradition, it is thought that anyone with grey hair on their head is cursed. This signifies that persons with grey hairs on their heads have met natural obstacles, and whatever they ultimately decide must be used to judge them by the ancestors.

This notion is made visible in Nigeria as a whole by legal practitioners, such as lawyers, judges, and magistrates who “put on grey-haired wigs” to demonstrate their honesty and fairness.

This indicates that legal practitioners are truthful in their obligations and equally apply justice based on the evidence presented in court.

However, some people dislike the prospect of growing old because of the problems that come with it. Most people see a deterioration in most body functions as they become older, such as nerve fiber conducting velocity, visual recognition, and sensitivity to light and sound, to name a few.

According to Rowan (1997), “one of the most depressing facts that comes out of any examination of the psychological effects of ageing is that it is all downhill.”

A is considered old age. Even in Western societies, there are no clear definitions of old age.

Epidemologists (1985) defined old age in terms of current illness and mortality, indicating that as days pass in a person’s life, there is a process of decline in good health that culminates in death. Growing old is defined by Chambers Encyclopaedia (1997) as “the progression of different tissues, organ systems, and body fluids marching in response to different causes at different rates in different individuals.” It goes on to explain it as a phase in a person’s life when degeneration occurs, which indicates that the individual grows from a condition of physical goodness to a lower state, which is typical in life.

According to several writers, there is no agreed-upon age at which one can be considered to be of old age.

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica (1991), the acceptable year of old age is between the ages of fourties and sixty-five years.

For the same reasons, the people and government of Enugu State acknowledge the age of 65 as the commensing year of old age. Civil officials are required to retire at this age and are subsequently paid retirement benefits and pensions.

According to the study’s theme, home management can be defined as the right domestic management of the home by taking suitable care of providing and disclosing the desired needs of the family in partnership with the wife and children. This could be considered attitude management, behavioral management, self control, and hence overall house management. This means that any home without excellent administration is doomed to fail. There will be no peace and harmony in such a home, and all of the aforementioned factors favor marriage or marital engagement separation and divorce.

Statement of the Issue

Old age, which is viewed as the decreasing part of the life duration in numerous ways and forms, comes with a plethora of life issues. This ageing period/later years are fraught with hardships in one’s life. Preparing for old age is a chore that most people neglect because of events, and they do not save or invest enough for their future living in old age on a rainy day. Cullen (2000) remarked at this time that there are various difficulties linked with old age that impair the physical well-being of a broader group of individuals, both male and female counterparts. Hnrlock (1987) identified the following diseases and physical handicaps among the elderly: circulatory disturbances, metabolic disorders of the joints, heart diseases, recheumatism, arthritis, vision impairment, and so on. Along with the physical and psychological problems of the elderly mentioned above, there are also the following problems that are common in the area where the researchers conducted their study, such as loneliness, housing accommodation problems, and problems caused during the youthful state. In light of these issues, the purpose of this research is to identify the elements that cause problems and the impacts of old age in house management in Enugu State’s Udi Local Government Area.

The Goal of the Research

The first and most important goal of this research is to determine the extent to which the difficulties of elderly people in the Udi Local Government Area can be resolved. This is because the elderly are highly valued by society because they are regarded as the caretakers of tradition and culture in any civilization. They help to keep per foot peace and order by resolving minor disagreements outside of the law court, which is what the study aims.

1. Identifying the origins of elderly people’s problems and making recommendations for how to solve them.

2. To do research on the positive elements of aging in order to dispel the notion that aging is something to be avoided.

3. Determine methods of bringing to the public’s attention a standard living pattern that can make the days of elderly people most healthy and psychological depressions that can accompany old age.

4. To build greater human relationships with the elderly and other members of the community in order to make their lives more joyful.

5. Determine other problems that impede the sustainability of elderly persons in the case study location.

The Importance of the Research

This research would benefit the elderly in Udi Local Government Area in particular and Enugu State in general. The research will provide a solid foundation for people to demonstrate tolerance, perseverance, and sympathy. In the face of the elderly’s problems. The younger generation in our society, those who have not yet established their own homes but plan to do so, would profit from being aware of their forefathers’ flaws in order to avoid them. It will assist to ensure that the elderly are not forgotten, as they are the keepers of our traditions and culture. Their basic needs should be met appropriately in order to increase their life spans.

Research Issues

The researchers posed specific questions, which we believe will lead to solutions to the challenges. These are their names:

(1) How does polygamous family effect the life of elderly persons in your council area?

(2) Do some children rely on their elderly parents’ income?

(3) Are there any elements that often affect the life expectancy of elderly individuals in your council area?

(4) Does the elderly’s earnings (if any) cover the costs of house maintenance and management?

(5) Does a positive interaction between the young and the elderly improve their standard of living?

Limitations of the Research

Because the time allotted for this study was so limited, the researchers were only able to conduct it in one local government area. The expense of materials as a result of the country’s present inflation also constrained our activities within this area.

The Study’s Scope

It does not cover all aspects of home management in the council region. It only addresses the issues and consequences of elderly persons in home management in Enugu State’s Udi Local Government Councils. It also concerns the necessary care to be taken by individuals around the elderly, particularly those who may have reached the age beyond reasoning.

A glossary of terms and acronyms

To avoid ambiguity, a belief definition of the term used in this chapter is provided.

Degeneration

This refers to descending from a higher state of goodness to a lower condition through losing attractive attributes.

Involution

Involution refers to the normal shrinkage of an organ after it has served its regular functioning role.

Mortality

Mortality is defined as the ratio of total deaths to total population.

Diminishing

Diminishing refers to methods of making something less or smaller.