Psychosocial support needs of the elderly in ikare akoko community of Ondo State, Nigeria

This study was designed to explore the psychosocial needs of the 400 elderly (Male 220 and Female 180), age varying from 60 years and above were selected by using multistage sampling technique from Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State, Nigeria. At the first stage of the sampling, three Communities were selected through a simple random sampling from the list of communities in the local government area. At the second stage of sampling, three quarters were selected also by simple random sampling. In the third stage of sampling, 15 houses in each quarter were selected by systematic random sampling technique that is house-hold with elderly persons in every fourth house were selected until the sample size was attained. A pilot tested structured interview schedule (questionnaire) was used to collect data. The research instrument used was a self-designed questionnaire to explore the psychosocial needs of the elderly. The instrument was validated and the reliability was established using the test retested method and a retest coefficient of 0.84 was arrived at. The study revealed the psychosocial needs, the barriers and the coping strategies of the elderly. The psychosocial needs experienced by majority of the elderly include; the feeling of loneliness, ill treatment from family members, caregivers and members of the society, physical and emotional abuse, anxiety, restlessness, fear and rejection. Among barriers experienced by the elderly were; distance from spouse, loved ones and other social needs, loss of spouse, the environment and ageing. Amongst the coping strategies adopted by elderly include; to be informed about their condition of health and treatment regimen as well as maintaining social contacts through a social system. There was a significant relationship between psychosocial needs to both barriers to accessing these psychosocial needs and the coping strategies adopted by elderly in the study area to these psychosocial needs. The study revealed that the psychosocial needs and health of the elderly can be protected through mass education of family and care givers. Therefore, psychosocial needs of the elderly and ageing should be given its due attention so as to properly understand the changes which occur as a result of ageing and boost the health and well-being of the elderly.