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

Holiday Wishes from EOON Care

 

Christmas holiday preparation tips for families — practical, caring and Nigeria-ready

Christmas holiday preparation tips for families — practical, caring and Nigeria-ready

The festive season is a wonderful time for family, but for many Nigerian households it also brings extra planning, cost and — for those caring for older relatives — added responsibility. Below are clear, compassionate tips to help families enjoy Christmas while keeping elders safe, comfortable and connected. Where useful, I’ve added short, evidence-led notes so you can plan with facts, not guesswork.

1. Start with a simple checklist (2–3 weeks before)

Write down essentials: medical supplies, medication refills, mobility aids, contact numbers, and any dietary needs. Having a checklist reduces last-minute stress and prevents dangerous gaps in care — especially important when pharmacies and clinics have altered opening hours over holidays.

2. Budget for the season — and prioritise essentials

Christmas spending has been squeezed by high prices across Nigeria. Many families reported cutting back on travel and big festivities as food and transport costs rose last year. Plan a realistic budget that puts essential care (medicines, transport to clinic, nutritious food) before non-essentials like big gift hampers. (The Guardian Nigeria)

3. Secure medications and appointments early

Refill prescriptions at least two weeks before Christmas and confirm any clinic appointments. Studies from Nigeria show caregivers frequently experience financial and time burdens — having medicines and appointments resolved early reduces one big source of holiday stress for carers and care-recipients. (PMC)

4. Share duties across the family

Caregiving is often a family responsibility in Nigeria, but the burden can fall unevenly on one person. Research finds many family carers spend several hours daily on care tasks and report high levels of strain. Delegate practical tasks (shopping, cooking, sitting with your elder for an hour) so no one person becomes exhausted. Even short, scheduled relief shifts make a big difference. (The Nigerian Health Journal)

5. Plan low-risk festive activities

Choose celebrations that suit mobility and health needs: a small family meal at home, music and video calls with distant relatives, or a short, gentle walk. Avoid crowded venues or long trips that could cause fatigue, falls or missed medication times.

6. Food and nutrition — small changes, big impact

With food prices elevated, focus on nutrient-dense, low-cost choices: local staples (yams, beans, plantain), leafy greens, legumes and lean proteins. These deliver energy and help maintain strength, which reduces hospital visits over the holiday surge.

7. Emergency readiness

Keep a list of emergency numbers (nearest hospital, GP, family contacts), an up-to-date medicines list, and a light first-aid kit accessible. Make sure at least two relatives know where these are kept.

8. Use community resources and professional support

Where family capacity is limited, consider short-term professional support — home-visiting nurses, respite carers or telehealth check-ins. Nigeria’s ageing demographic is small as a share of the population today, but the need for organised elder support is growing; planning for help now prevents crises later. (Trading Economics)

9. Keep communication kind and clear

Talk openly about preferences and limitations with older relatives. Invite them to help shape the plan — this preserves dignity and avoids misunderstandings.

Christmas should be joyful, not overwhelming. A little planning — focused on health, budgets and shared responsibility — keeps elders safe and lets families celebrate together.

Please share this post to help other families prepare and raise awareness about elder-friendly holiday planning.

Hashtags

#ChristmasCare #ElderFriendlyChristmas #FamilyCareNigeria #EOONCare #NurseLedCare #CaregiverSupport #FestiveWellbeing #CaringThroughChristmas #HealthFirstHolidays #NigeriaFamilyTips

 

International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women

Why every family — and every carer — should care

Every year on 25 November, the world observes the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women — a powerful reminder that what happens behind closed doors matters to us all. This day also launches the global 16 Days of Activism, urging collective action to prevent abuse, protect survivors, and strengthen care systems.

Violence against women is not only shocking headlines — it is happening daily, in homes, in communities, and especially among older women who depend on caregivers for safety and support.
📌 Everyone — families, friends, health professionals — has a role in ending it.
([UN.org][1])

📊 What the numbers reveal

• 1 in 3 women globally have experienced physical or sexual violence by a partner.

• Millions more face emotional, financial and digital abuse.

• In Nigeria, national surveys show a similar 1 in 3 prevalence of intimate partner violence.

These stats reflect real women — mothers, daughters, grandmothers — whose lives and health are deeply affected.
([WHO Data][2])

👵 Older women are often overlooked

Emerging research in Nigeria shows rising concern for elder abuse:

✅ Neglect (most common)
✅ Verbal and emotional abuse
✅ Financial exploitation

Stress, poverty, stigma and lack of caregiver support can make vulnerable women even less safe. Many suffer in silence because dependence on carers reduces their ability to speak out.
([PMC Study][3])

This is where trained caregiving and nurse-led home care becomes essential.

👩‍⚕️ The role of nurse-led care: spotting abuse early

Nurses are uniquely positioned to:

🩺 Recognise visible and hidden signs of abuse
🗂️ Document concerns professionally
🛟 Coordinate referrals to medical, legal and social support
🤝 Advocate for dignity and safety

These interventions protect health and restore confidence for survivors of any age.

🤝 EOON Care stands for safety and dignity

At EOON Care, preventing violence is part of how we care.

We train our nurse-led teams to deliver support guided by our core values:

C.A.R.E.

✨ Compassion — listening without judgement
🔍 Accountability — acting quickly when concerns arise
🤲 Respect — protecting dignity and privacy
🏅 Excellence — delivering best-practice clinical care

From spotting unexplained injuries…
to encouraging confidential conversations…
to arranging referrals and family mediation —
our goal is clear: no woman should feel unsafe in her own home.

🧡 What YOU can do today

✔ Believe women when they speak
✔ Support caregivers with training and rest
✔ Share life-saving information
✔ Check in on older neighbours, aunties and grandmothers
✔ Speak up when something feels wrong

Small actions protect lives.

📣 Join the movement

This International Day, let’s turn awareness into action.

💬 Share this post
📞 Start conversations
👀 Look out for women around you

Together, we can protect a woman, an elder — a family.

🔖 Hashtags

#EndViolenceAgainstWomen #16DaysOfActivism #ProtectOurElders #EOONCare #NurseLedCare #C.A.R.EinAction #StopGenderBasedViolence #CaregiversMatter #NigeriaAgainstViolence #ShareToProtect

❤️ EOON Care’s commitment

EOON Care’s mission is to enhance safety and dignity through nurse-led, community-based home care. We integrate violence prevention, survivor-sensitive communication, and safety planning into all care visits — supporting families, empowering older women, and strengthening protection systems. Driven by C.A.R.E., we ensure every woman feels respected and safe in the place she calls home.
([Nigeria DHS][4])

Meet Grace — One of Our Amazing Caregivers in Abuja!

 Meet Grace — One of Our Amazing Caregivers in Abuja! 

Caring for older adults is more than a job — it’s a calling. Today, we are excited to spotlight Grace, one of our exceptional caregivers at EOON Care in Abuja. Her warm heart, patience, and unwavering dedication remind us every day why caregiving is a truly heroic profession.

Across Nigeria, the elderly population is growing. According to recent studies, Nigeria’s number of seniors is expected to rise rapidly over the next decade — and with this comes a greater need for skilled, compassionate support. Families are doing their best, but many face challenges balancing work, children, and caring for an ageing parent or grandparent. That’s where caregivers like Grace make a life-changing difference.

Why Caregivers Matter More Than Ever

Caregivers play a critical role in:

• Preventing loneliness: Evidence shows that older adults with social interaction have 50% lower risk of depression.

• Ensuring safety at home: Falls are a leading cause of injury for seniors — trained caregivers help reduce these risks.

• Supporting health and dignity: They help with medications, hygiene, mobility, and mealtime routines — all while promoting independence.

In Nigeria, where extended families traditionally care for elders, the pressure can be overwhelming. Caregivers provide essential support, ensuring older loved ones get the attention they deserve while family bonds remain strong.

Grace’s Story: Compassion in Action

Grace joined EOON Care with a passion for caring for older people — especially those living with conditions like dementia, stroke, and mobility challenges. To her, caregiving is about building trusting relationships and offering emotional comfort, not just physical assistance.

Her clients describe her as:

“Always smiling, gentle, and attentive — she treats Mum like family.”

Grace starts each day with a goal: to help someone feel valued, respected, and safe. Whether she’s assisting with daily routines, engaging a senior in memory games, or sharing a joyful conversation, she makes every moment count.

Nurse-Led Home Care: The EOON Care Difference

At EOON Care, caregivers like Grace thrive because they are backed by a nurse-led team. This means:
✅ Clinical oversight for improved safety
✅ Individualised care plans tailored to each client
✅ Ongoing training to maintain high standards

Our guiding values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence (C.A.R.E.) ensure we provide not only quality care but also kindness, empathy, and trust — the heart of true caregiving.

Championing Caregivers in Nigeria 🇳🇬

The caregiving profession deserves greater recognition in Nigeria. Many caregivers work long hours — physically and emotionally demanding — yet they show up every day with love.

Right now:

• Over 60% of caregivers in Nigeria report burnout without proper support.

• Families often don’t know where to turn for professional elderly care.

EOON Care is working to change this narrative. By celebrating caregivers like Grace, we shine a spotlight on their vital role and encourage others to value their work.

A Big Thank You to All Caregivers! 👏💛

To every caregiver — whether at home or in the community — your work matters. You are the reason so many seniors in Nigeria continue to live with dignity and joy.

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Call to Action

Let’s show appreciation to our unsung heroes!
Tag a caregiver you appreciate in the comments 👇🏽
Share this post to celebrate caregivers nationwide!

Hashtags

#CaregiverAppreciation

 #EoonCareHeroes

 #ThankYouCaregivers 

#ElderlyCareNigeria 

#CareForSeniors

 #AbujaCaregivers

 #SupportOurCaregivers

 #NurseLedCare 

#AgingWithDignity 

#TeamCARE

EOON Care Connection

At EOON Care, our mission is to ensure seniors in Nigeria receive the compassionate support they deserve at home — surrounded by love and familiarity. Our professionally trained, nurse-supervised caregivers like Grace deliver safe, high-quality care guided by our C.A.R.E. values. We partner with families to reduce stress, prevent caregiver burnout, and improve seniors’ quality of life. Together, we’re building a future where ageing with dignity is a reality for every Nigerian elder.