A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF CARE- GIVING TO THE AGED IN RURAL IGBOLAND OF EASTERN NIGERIA AND THE EFFECTS OF YOUTH MIGRATION: THE OLD TESTAMENT APPROACH

Abstract

The study examined care-giving to the aged in Igboland with particular reference to rural
aged dwellers and also considered Old Testament approach to elderly care giving. The
plight of the aged and the challenges associated with providing care for them in
contemporary times has become a phenomenon of concern. Migration of the youth to
urban cites was identified as the major cause of the problem, while other factors include
changes in care-giving strategies and philosophy of the young about old people. Two
hundred and sixty (260) questionnaires were distributed to young people who are either
care- givers, or have lived with and observed aged people closely. Secondary sources for
the study were from text books, journal articles, eBooks and internet materials. The study
adopted qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection and used simple
percentage, statistics and standard deviation for the quantitative; descriptive qualitative
method for the qualitative data. Findings showed that migration of youths from rural to
urban areas led to families' minimal involvement in elderly care –giving. Rural aged are
therefore subjected to physical and psychological loneliness because of the absence of
their children. The study finally recommended the Israeli approach to elderly care- giving
as a model for Igbo people and appeals to the government to collaborate with families and
also establish reasonable welfare policies for the aged.
Keywords: Elderly, Aged, Senior citizens, Gerontology, Migration