The study examined the implications of health and emotional well-being of elderly parents who had experienced the death of an adult child in Ilorin South Council area of Kwara state, Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling procedure was adopted, and In depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with 18 participants selected from the three major districts of Ilorin South Council Area, Kwara State. The data collected were assembled into themes, transcribed, and thematically analysed. Study findings revealed that some socio-demographic characteristics of participants, such as gender, marital status, religious belief, educational level and socio-economic status of elderly parents, to a large extent, were accountable for differences in health and emotional wellbeing of elderly parents consequent to the death of their adult child. The study also established that, even though Social Workers understand the ripple effects associated with the loss of a child at an advanced stage, counselling therapy and other professional skills were employed to help participants retain their sense of purpose in life. Several participants, however, reported that improved relationships with friends, family members, and coworkers significantly contributed to restoring their hope and well-being during their traumatic experience. The study therefore recommends that elderly parents be exposed to end-oflife counselling by social workers and that the nation strengthen its social protection policies. This is crucial to avoid over-reliance on children for financial security during old age, and the urgency of these policy improvements cannot be overstated.
Adult-child, Death, Elderly-parent, Emotional-health, Wellbeing, End- of- life counselling
