Caregiving, Wellbeing, and Community Support Systems for the Elderly in Southeast Nigeria.

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Bibliographic Details
Title:	Caregiving, Wellbeing, and Community Support Systems for the Elderly in Southeast Nigeria.
Authors:	Orji, Chinaemerem Clarice, Ejinkeonye, Uju Bridget, Obeta, Anothonia Omanebu, Asadu, Ngozi Blessing Mariagoretti
Source:	International Journal of Vocational Education & Training. Summer2026, Vol. 31 Issue 1, p59-71. 13p.
Subject Terms:	Caregivers, Community support, *Community organization, Nigerians, Religious institutions, Older people, Services for caregivers, Well-being
Geographic Terms:	Nigeria
Abstract:	Healthy ageing in Southeast Nigeria is increasingly shaped by the quality of caregiving and community support systems, as traditional kinship structures weaken under sustained economic and social pressures. This study examined the role of family caregiving, faith-based organisations, and community associations in sustaining elderly wellbeing across the five Southeast states of Nigeria: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussion Guides. Results revealed that family caregiving, faith-based organisations, and community association membership significantly enhanced psychosocial wellbeing, while institutional support remained inadequate. The study concludes that these systems are indispensable yet under-resourced and recommends their integration into formal policy frameworks through caregiver training, cash transfers, formalisation of community associations, and structured engagement of faith-based organisations in psychosocial care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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Database:	Education Research Complete

Description
Abstract:	Healthy ageing in Southeast Nigeria is increasingly shaped by the quality of caregiving and community support systems, as traditional kinship structures weaken under sustained economic and social pressures. This study examined the role of family caregiving, faith-based organisations, and community associations in sustaining elderly wellbeing across the five Southeast states of Nigeria: Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo. A mixed-methods design was adopted, combining surveys, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussion Guides. Results revealed that family caregiving, faith-based organisations, and community association membership significantly enhanced psychosocial wellbeing, while institutional support remained inadequate. The study concludes that these systems are indispensable yet under-resourced and recommends their integration into formal policy frameworks through caregiver training, cash transfers, formalisation of community associations, and structured engagement of faith-based organisations in psychosocial care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:	10752455