A medical practitioner, Dr Akinlawon Olamide, has urged families caring for ageing parents to adopt structured healthcare plans to better manage the health needs of older adults.
Olamide, the Medical Coordinator at Victoria Island Medical Centre, OneHealth by AXA, made the call in an interview with The PUNCH, noting that many working adults were increasingly balancing careers, raising children and caring for ageing parents.
He said caring for elderly relatives often went beyond hospital visits, as families may also need to manage medications, schedule appointments, coordinate specialist consultations and monitor existing health conditions.
“Families naturally want the best for their ageing parents, but many are also managing careers, raising children and fulfilling other important responsibilities,” he said.
According to Olamide, a structured approach to geriatric care could help families understand the changing health needs of older relatives and make informed decisions about their wellbeing.
He stressed the importance of regular health assessments, particularly for older adults living with chronic conditions, saying preventive care could help identify potential problems before they become more serious.
“Geriatric care should look at the person as a whole. We have to consider not only their medical conditions, but also their mobility, nutrition, mental well-being, medications and the support available to them,” Olamide said.
He advised families not to wait for a medical emergency before planning for the healthcare needs of ageing parents.
“Preventive care allows us to act early and plan better,” he added.
Olamide noted that long working hours and other family responsibilities could make it difficult for some adults to consistently manage the healthcare needs of elderly relatives, making organized care important.
He also said proactive healthcare could help older adults maintain their independence, manage existing health conditions and improve their quality of life. He encouraged families to plan ahead and adopt consistent healthcare arrangements for ageing parents, particularly where work and other responsibilities make regular care giving challenging.
