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