Title: The Effect of Migration on the Intergenerational Living Culture of Africans on Familial Relationship Dynamics and Loneliness in Older Adults
Stream: Loneliness
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
Authors:
Oluwadamilola Grillo, Hold the Age, Nigeria
Abstract:
Migration among young adults in Africa to first-world countries is not only alarming but worrisome and portends risk to the lives of older persons. The intergenerational living culture among African families is dwindling due to migration, hence leaving older adults to live a life of loneliness which in turn impacts their social care, healthcare and overall well-being. Being a vulnerable population, the Covid-19 pandemic reflected the various issues that impacted the lives of older adults negatively. Following the research (Cacioppo, 2014; 2018), loneliness in older adults can make them be at risk of obesity, depression, anxiety, heart disease, a weakened immune system, cognitive decline, high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease and even death. Loneliness will continue to affect the overall well-being of older adults if there is a change in the family dynamics that they were once used to. Intergenerational living constituting children and grandchildren within the family offers great social care to the overall well-being of older adults in their twilight years as Africans are known to operate within a communal living setting. The role of caring for the older generation is done by the younger generation but with migration, older loved ones are getting neglected and living lonely lives. This paper presents redirection in achieving optimal social care in combating loneliness among older adults as young adults continue to seek greener pastures in first-world countries through innovation and facilitated livelihood that will impact positively on the intergenerational family dynamism that exists in Africa.
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