Profile of Elderly Patients Presented with Psychosocial Problems in Ibadan

Background: The study reviewed the profile of elderly patients presented with psychosocial problems in Ibadan. The study x rayed the psychosocial interventions of medical social workers and what had been their impact on the recovery of the elderly patients. Methods: The study was conducted at the Chief Tony Anenih Geriatric Centre, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The study reviewed the elderly patients based on the presented psychosocial problems at the medical social services unit of the centre. 160 elderly patients were seen at the centre after been referred by geriatric physician of the centre between the period of four (4) years. The research instrument was “Health status”, Psychological and Social Well being and Chi square statistics was used to assess association between categorical variable. P values of significance would be set at P < 0.05. Results: More than half of the elderly patients presented with psychosocial problems are between ages 66-70years are 44.5%(Male) and 41.8%(female). A little more than half of the respondents are unemployed 40.7(male) and 25.4%(Female). The result also showed a significant association between health condition and gender of the elderly (X2= 18.234, p=0.00) psychological problems was associated with gender of the elderly (X2= 23.388, p=0.00) and social problem was also associated with gender of the elderly (X2= 57.931, p=0.00). Conclusion: Poor social economic status among the respondents had a negative impact on their health status as well as their health seeking behavior. The importance of emotional support, economic and information support can be deduced from the fact that spending money or giving information as to health and source of better income does not solve the problem of the elderly because these aged entities also need love, care, affection and a feeling of belongingness. Lack of social support for the aged causes in them depression, anxiety and psychosomatic symptoms because they feel unwanted. There is need to strategize implementation of Geriatric Health Insurance Scheme, recreational and rehabilitation facilities for the elderly within the hospital and their community is also very important to improve their physical, social and psychological well being.