DDF- Elderly Dialogue & Empowerment Dewdrop Foundation (DDF) Project Summary:

In Nigeria, Elderly persons suffering from age-related diseases such as Alzheimer#s Disease (AD) are misconstrued as mad persons and #witches# due to their mental disability. Elderly persons (especially those with AD) are often neglected and kept away from the public by family members for fear of being ostracized from their communities due to age-oldsuperstitions and cultural beliefs arising from basic ignorance. This has led to elderly people being tortured and suffering untoldabuse without recourse because they have #no voice#.

Unverified stories and various studies indicate that elderly abuse is prevalent in Nigeria, however the rate is unknown. One study conducted in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, reporteda high prevalence of elder abuse, where 46.7% of elders complained of medical neglect and bed sores; 47% experienced some form of physical abuse; 44.7% reported lack of visitation; 49% were uncomfortable with their living conditions; and 35% were victimsof theft.  Another study among elders in Enugu State, Nigeria, documented a high prevalence of denial of freedom of interaction (88%) and verbal abuse (73%).

Recently therehas been much discussion in Nigeria of how our population is aging. Elderly persons in Nigeria face multiple challenges because of decreased functional independence. However, there has been no attention to their experiences. Clearly there is a need to understand the experiences of elderly persons and address their issues.

An outcome of Dewdrop Foundation#s Voice Project inUmuode Community revealed the critical need to sensitize the public on how to care for elderly persons, and their common ailments such as Sight <(>&<)>Hearing impairment, Memory Loss/Dementia, Alzheimer#s. Elderly people become naturally more vulnerable to verbal and physical abuseby ignorant people as they become progressively afflicted by these age-related challenges, especially in villages and local communities. Caregivers and family members who desire to protect their loved ones lack capacity thus need guidance and a support structure.

This project therefore aims to develop law reform and policy solutions that address the pressing barriers to the well-being of Elderly people. We will conduct surveys/researchtoascertain the degree of this issue in upto ten pilot communities in Nkanu-land Local Government Areas of Enugu State, and publicize this issue. We will use artwork, music and drama to ensure that voices of Elderly persons especially those living with AD are amplified nation-wide, starting fromthe pilot communities in Enugu State.

Our ultimate goal is to enrich lives of Elderly persons through a platform that enables them have a Voice and lead their cause, have access to social amenities, provide capacity building opportunities for their Caregivers, and bring together key players who will champion their cause and sustain the program in the pilot communities. We will achieve our goal through awareness/sensitization campaigns, capacity building, advocacyand bottom-up dialogues at the community and Local Government levels with the appropriate stakeholders and policy influencers to ensure sustainability of the project, and hopefully replicate it in other Communities nationwide