Assessing the Impact of Usual Place of Residence on Welfare of The Elderly Persons in Nigeria

Elderly care has received increased attention in recent years and the impact of rapid urbanisation on their welfare has generated several public policy and academic concerns.This is addressed by comparing the welfare of the elderly before the sudden rapid urbanisation with that being witnessed today.Quantitative data was collected through individual-based questionnaire.Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select local government areas, enumeration areas and individuals for the study.In all, 810 respondents were interviewed.Logistic regression model was used to determine the net effects of the explanatory factors on the welfare of the elderly.The study found that the welfare of the elderly was better attained prior to rapid urbanisation because of support from children and the extended family.It also found that urbanisation and industrialisation has led to the balkanisation of the family system.The study concludes that the welfare of the elderly requires the strengthening of family support system and development of community-based programmes.