Nutrition Tips for Healthy Ageing During the Festive Season

Nutrition Tips for Healthy Ageing During the Festive Season
EOON Care Nigeria

The festive season in Nigeria brings food, family, and celebration. But for older adults, this period also affects appetite, hydration, digestion, and blood pressure. With a few small adjustments, families can support seniors to enjoy the celebrations comfortably and safely.

Here are practical tips that work in any home:

1. Keep hydration steady

Many older adults drink less water during the harmattan or when busy with visitors. Dehydration increases confusion, dizziness, and fatigue.
Offer water, zobo, pap water, or warm tea in small amounts throughout the day.

2. Add vegetables to every meal

Even when plates are full of rice, chicken, small chops, and soups, adding vegetables helps digestion and keeps energy stable.
Ugu, spinach, cabbage, and carrots work well with most meals.

3. Reduce salt quietly

Festive cooking often has extra seasoning. High salt increases the risk of headaches, high blood pressure, and swollen feet.
Use herbs and natural spices for flavour instead.

4. Choose protein for strength

Protein supports muscle, recovery, and energy.
Good options: fish, chicken, eggs, beans, moi-moi, Greek yoghurt, and milk.

5. Keep portions moderate

Large holiday meals can cause indigestion, especially at night.
Smaller meals and light snacks help older adults stay comfortable.

6. Maintain medication routines

Celebrations can distract from timing.
A simple reminder system — an alarm or a labelled tray — helps avoid missed doses.

7. Balance treats

Seniors can enjoy festive foods.
The goal is balance: for every heavy meal, offer a lighter one the next day.

8. Look out for warning signs

Family members should watch for:
• Fatigue
• Swollen feet
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Excess thirst
These may signal dehydration or blood pressure changes.

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How EOON Care Supports Families During the Festive Season

Our caregivers help with meal planning, hydration, medication reminders, and daily wellbeing checks — especially when families are busy or travelling.

If you need support this season, send us a message or book a home-visit package.

Highlighting EOON Care’s Compassionate Service: Nurse-led, C.A.R.E. in Action

 Highlighting EOON Care’s Compassionate Service: Nurse-led, C.A.R.E. in Action

Families in Nigeria are shouldering more care for older relatives than ever before — and they’re doing it with courage. Nigeria already had more than 10 million people aged 60+ in recent estimates, and that number is rising as life expectancy improves. At EOON Care we know that quality elder care must combine clinical skill with humanity; that’s why our nurse-led, C.A.R.E. approach (Compassion, Accountability, Respect, Excellence) puts people first while delivering measurable health benefits. (ResearchGate)

Why compassion-led, nurse-led care matters

Many older Nigerians are cared for at home by family members who aren’t always trained for the job. Studies in Nigeria report high levels of caregiver strain — physical, emotional and financial — with some surveys showing a majority of carers experiencing significant burden. When nurses lead homecare teams they bring clinical judgement, medication management, risk assessment and rehabilitation skills into the home; the result is safer care, fewer hospital readmissions and improved quality of life for both the older person and their family. (PubMed Central)

What EOON Care does differently

• Nurse-led teams: Every care plan is designed, reviewed and led by a registered nurse who understands geriatric needs — from chronic disease monitoring to falls prevention and wound care.
• C.A.R.E. values in practice: Compassion is active listening; Accountability means clear care goals and documented outcomes; Respect protects dignity and cultural preferences; Excellence shows in continuous training and evidence-based practice.
• Practical support for families: We combine clinical visits with caregiver coaching (how to move someone safely, spotting early signs of infection, medication reconciliation) so family members feel competent, not overwhelmed.

Real-world impact

Nurse-led homecare models — similar to the EOON Care approach — have been shown in systematic reviews to reduce frailty progression and improve self-management among older adults. In Nigeria, where informal care is the backbone of elder support, formal nurse-led input can reduce the common, costly pattern of late presentations at hospital and relieve caregiver burnout. These outcomes translate into better health and lower long-term costs for families and the health system. (BioMed Central)

Simple steps families can take today

1. Create a one-page care summary (medicines, allergies, emergency contacts).

2. Ask for a nurse review — even one visit can uncover medication risks or mobility problems.

3. Schedule short caregiver training sessions: safe lifting, basic wound care, and spotting red flags.

Compassionate, nurse-led care is not a luxury — it’s a smart, evidence-based way to keep older Nigerians healthier at home and to protect the wellbeing of family carers.

If this resonated with you, please share this post to raise awareness about the difference nurse-led, compassion-centred care can make. Together we can make caring for older people in Nigeria safer, kinder and more sustainable.

10 relevant hashtags

#ElderCareNigeria #NurseLedCare #CareWithCARE #FamilyCarers #AgedCareNigeria #CompassionInCare #HomeHealthNigeria #CaregiverSupport #GeriatricNursing #EOONCare

How this ties to EOON Care

EOON Care’s mission is to deliver nurse-led, dignity-centred services that support older people to live well at home and relieve the pressure on family caregivers. Our services — clinical home visits, personalised care plans and caregiver training — reflect our C.A.R.E. values and are designed around the realities of Nigerian families. By combining clinical evidence with compassion, EOON Care helps families keep loved ones safe, comfortable and connected.

Human Rights Day: Remembering dignity — especially for older Nigerians

 Human Rights Day: Remembering dignity — especially for older Nigerians

Every year on 10 December the world marks Human Rights Day, a reminder that dignity, safety and equal treatment belong to everyone — including older people and those who care for them. Human rights are not abstract; they shape whether an older person receives respectful health care, whether a family carer gets support, and whether abuse or neglect is recognised and stopped. (United Nations)

Why this matters in Nigeria today

Nigeria’s population is youthful overall, but the absolute number of older adults is growing. That shift means more households will face questions about long-term care, medical access and financial protection for older relatives. Projections show a steady increase in the share and number of older Nigerians — a demographic trend policymakers and families can no longer ignore. (World Bank Open Data)

At the same time, recent studies underline a worrying reality: elder abuse and neglect remain problems in many communities. Community research in Nigeria has reported high rates of maltreatment, especially emotional and financial abuse, and one recent rural study found an alarmingly high prevalence of abuse. These findings point to the need for better awareness, law, and practical care solutions. (PubMed Central)

Human rights + elder care: simple connections

Human rights principles translate directly into everyday elder care:

• Right to health → timely, respectful clinical attention and access to medications.

• Right to security → protection from abuse and neglect, whether at home or in care.

• Right to dignity → being listened to, consulted and treated as a person — not a burden.

For family carers — who deliver most of Nigeria’s day-to-day elder care — human rights mean recognition, training and support so they can deliver safe, compassionate care without burnout. Research on informal caregiving in Nigeria highlights both the vital role family members play and the lack of systemic support for them. (African Journal of Social Work (AJSW))

What good care looks like: practical examples

• Nurse-led assessments that spot early signs of malnutrition, depression or abuse and link families to services.

• Respectful communication that involves older people in decisions about their care, preserving autonomy.

• Training for family carers on safe lifting, medication management and how to report rights violations.
  These approaches turn human rights from policy language into real-world improvements for older Nigerians and their carers.

EOON Care’s role: C.A.R.E. in action

At EOON Care we believe rights are enacted through everyday practice. Our nurse-led model prioritises Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence (C.A.R.E.) — nurses lead personalised assessments, design safety plans, coach family carers and act swiftly when a rights concern (like suspected abuse or unsafe medication) arises. This approach both protects older clients and empowers families to provide dignified, rights-centred care.

Takeaway — what you can do today

Human Rights Day is an invitation: learn one fact about older people’s rights, check in on an older neighbour, or share guidance on spotting abuse with family carers. Small actions create safer, more dignified lives.

Share this post to raise awareness. If you care for an older person, consider a nurse-led assessment — it’s a practical, human-rights-based step toward safer care.

10 hashtags

#HumanRightsDay #ElderRights #ElderCareNigeria #CaregiverSupport #NurseLedCare #CaredWithCARE #RespectDignity #StopElderAbuse #FamilyCaregivers #EOONCare

 Tips for keeping seniors engaged during the festive holidays

The festive season brings warmth, music and family — but it can also highlight loneliness and low energy for older people. In Nigeria, where only a small proportion of the population is aged 65 and over (around 3% in 2024), older adults are often less visible in public planning and services, which makes intentional inclusion at home even more important. (Trading Economics)

Here are practical, evidence-backed ways to keep seniors active, connected and safe during the holidays — framed for busy families and carers in Nigeria.

1. Make participation flexible and low-effort
Not every activity needs to be full-on. Offer shorter shifts for cooking, light decorating, card-signing, or storytelling so an older person can contribute without tiring. Research shows that mixing light physical activity with meaningful social roles improves wellbeing in later life. (Frontiers)

2. Use rituals to anchor belonging
Familiar songs, prayers or recipes activate memory and identity. For people with memory problems, music and repetitive rituals can spark communication and reduce anxiety — a simple carol or a favourite hymn can transform a quiet afternoon into a shared moment. (The Guardian)

3. Build small, safe outings into the plan
If mobility allows, short trips to a church service, local market or community event can break isolation. Plan for transport, rest stops and medication needs. Caregivers who prepare logistics make it possible for older family members to enjoy the lights and crowds without stress. (Heavenly Care)

4. Make technology work for them
WhatsApp voice notes, short video calls and family photo groups are low-barrier ways to include seniors who can’t be physically present. Emerging evidence suggests regular, purposeful online engagement can support cognition and reduce isolation when used appropriately. A daily hello by phone or short video message gives something to look forward to. (Health)

5. Plan intergenerational activities
Children and young adults bring energy — simple joint tasks like making ornaments, baking soft snacks, or sharing family stories create meaning across generations. Studies find intergenerational contact can boost mood, reduce loneliness and even motivate healthier routines in older adults. (SpringerLink)

6. Adapt traditions for health needs
Temperature, mobility and medication schedules matter. Offer seating near the action, adjust recipes for chewing or swallowing problems, and avoid long periods of standing. Small adjustments keep seniors included and comfortable. (Dakota Home Care)

7. Watch for warning signs and plan for downtime
Holiday stress may worsen sleep, appetite or mood. Carers should watch for unusual withdrawal, increased confusion or falls and schedule quiet recovery time after events. Simple check-ins and a calm space to rest help prevent exhaustion and crises. (Mayo Clinic News Network)

Final thought & call to action
Holidays are about belonging. With small adaptations and purposeful planning, families and carers can make the season joyful and safe for older relatives. If you found these tips helpful, please share this post — raising awareness is how communities change.

10 relevant hashtags

#ElderCare #HolidayCare #SeniorWellbeing #IntergenerationalJoy #EOONCare #C.A.R.E #NigerianCaregivers #CombatLoneliness #InclusiveHolidays #CaregivingTips

How this links to EOON Care

EOON Care’s nurse-led approach means clinical knowledge and compassionate practice meet at the family table. Our teams put C.A.R.E. — Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence — into action by tailoring holiday plans to health needs, supporting safe outings, and coaching families on communication and routines. If your family needs support to make the festive season inclusive and stress-free, EOON Care provides trained nurses and carers to plan, assist and reassure.

International Day for Persons with Disabilities: a moment to listen, include and act

 International Day for Persons with Disabilities: a moment to listen, include and act

Each year on 3 December, the world marks the International Day for Persons with Disabilities — a simple date that opens space for a powerful conversation about rights, access and dignity. The day is about more than awareness: it’s about making real changes so disabled people can participate fully in family life, work, faith communities and public services. (United Nations)

What’s happening in Nigeria — the numbers (and the gaps)

Estimates vary, but recent international and national reviews suggest tens of millions of Nigerians live with some form of disability. Different methods of counting give different totals — a reminder that disability is both widespread and under-recorded. Better data is an urgent need if policies and services are to match real lives. (openknowledge.worldbank.org)

On the ground, the effects are visible: people with disabilities face barriers in health care, transport, education and employment. When health systems fail to supply essential medicines or rehabilitation (for example, disruptions that worsen preventable disabling conditions), the consequences ripple through families and communities. (Reuters)

What this means for older people and family carers in Nigeria

Disability and ageing are tightly linked. Many older Nigerians live with mobility, sensory or cognitive difficulties that look like — and are treated as — disability. Family members do the lion’s share of care: unpaid daughters, sons, spouses and neighbours who step in to help with washing, feeding, medication and hospital visits. Research from similar Nigerian contexts shows informal carers carry significant physical, emotional and financial burdens, often without training or support. Strengthening support for carers is therefore also a direct way to support older people living with disabilities. (BioMed Central)

Nurse-led care: why EOON Care’s approach matters

Nurse-led, person-centred care fills a crucial gap. Nurses bring clinical know-how together with holistic care planning — mobility support, safe medication practice, skin/pressure-sores prevention, and family training on everyday tasks. At EOON Care we combine clinical competence with our C.A.R.E. values: Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. That means listening to the person first, training family carers where needed, and coordinating with local clinics so every client benefits from continuity of care.

Real examples across Nigeria — community rehabilitation groups, prosthetic services and grassroots support networks — show how rehabilitation and simple assistive devices transform independence and dignity. When these services are coordinated by trained nurses, outcomes improve and families feel less alone. (AP News)

Practical steps communities and families can take

• Start conversations at home: ask older relatives about difficulties with mobility, hearing, sight or memory.

• Make small home adjustments — a handrail, clearer lighting, non-slip surfaces — that prevent falls and make life easier.

• Seek nurse-led assessments early: timely rehab and training for family carers often avoids hospital readmissions.

• Advocate locally: demand disability-inclusive services from clinics, schools and transport providers.

A final thought — dignity is non-negotiable

Disability is not an individual problem; it’s a social challenge shaped by policy, attitudes and services. On International Day for Persons with Disabilities we renew a simple promise: design services and homes so people of all ages can live with dignity, safety and independence.

Please share this post to raise awareness — the more people we reach, the more voices we amplify.

(United Nations)

10 relevant hashtags

#IDPD #DisabilityInclusion #ElderCareNigeria #FamilyCaregivers #NurseLedCare #AccessibilityForAll #Rehabilitation #InclusiveHealth #EOONCareCares #CaringWithCARE

World AIDS Day: Older Nigerians, carers and the right to dignified care

 World AIDS Day: Older Nigerians, carers and the right to dignified care

Every 1 December, we mark World AIDS Day — a moment

to remember lives lost, celebrate progress, and sharpen our focus on gaps that remain. The 2025 theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” calls for renewed action to protect services, reduce stigma and reach people who are too often invisible — including many older adults and the families who care for them. (UNAIDS)

Why this matters in Nigeria (simple facts)

Nigeria’s HIV epidemic is concentrated but substantial: adult prevalence among people aged 15–49 sits at about 1.3%, and an estimated 1.9 million Nigerians are living with HIV. Access to lifesaving antiretroviral therapy (ART) is improving — roughly 1.69 million adults were reported to be receiving ART — yet gaps in testing, treatment continuity and prevention persist. (UNAIDS)

The often-overlooked reality for older adults

HIV is not only a young person’s issue. Recent reviews from Nigeria highlight that HIV among people aged 50 and over can be considerably higher in some settings — with studies reporting prevalences (in the samples studied) as high as 8.2% among older age groups — and that older people living with HIV frequently face multimorbidity, polypharmacy and barriers to testing and care. This underscores the importance of tailored care and caregiver education. (PubMed Central)

What this means for family and professional carers

For families and paid carers, the implications are practical and human:

• Older clients may have multiple chronic conditions (diabetes, hypertension, mobility issues) alongside HIV, so medication reviews and careful coordination with clinicians are essential.

• Stigma and misconceptions about HIV in older people can delay diagnosis and isolate both the person living with HIV and their carers.

• Disruptions to supply chains or donor funding (a real risk globally) directly threaten ART continuity — making local, reliable caregiving and advocacy even more important. (UNAIDS)

EOON Care’s nurse-led response: C.A.R.E. in action

At EOON Care, our nurse-led teams approach HIV-aware elder care through C.A.R.E. — Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence. That looks like: routine, discreet screening conversations during visits; medication support (adherence checks and safe storage); coordinating with clinics to prevent ART interruptions; and educating families to reduce fear and stigma. Nurses spot red flags early (drug interactions, falls, mood changes) and act as the bridge between the older person, their family and the health system.

Small actions, big impact

Simple steps make a big difference: ensure older clients are offered age-appropriate HIV testing, build medication schedules that accommodate other prescriptions, keep an emergency list of ART clinics and telephone contacts, and talk openly — with kindness — about sexual health and dignity. Globally, there were an estimated 40.8 million people living with HIV in 2024; local action in homes and communities scales to that global picture. (UNAIDS)

Call to action

This World AIDS Day, please share this post to help normalise conversations about HIV in later life, support carers who keep older Nigerians safe, and urge policymakers to protect uninterrupted access to ART and community services. Simple acts — sharing information, checking-in with an elderly neighbour, or joining a local awareness drive — matter.

Share to raise awareness. Stand with older people living with HIV. Stand with their carers.

Hashtags
#WorldAIDSDay #EndAIDS #ElderCare #HIVAwareCare #CaringWithoutStigma #EOONCare #NurseLedCare #HIVinOlderAdults #HealthForAll #ShareToCare