Don Tasks Govt on Care for Older Persons
A dermatologist and Head of Dermatology Department, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Dr Olushola Ayanlowo has stressed the importance of care for older persons in the country.
The dermatologist who was the guest speaker at the 11th annual lecture of Oluwayemisi Obashoro Foundation (OLOF) said Nigerian government has failed in its duty of taking care of older persons in the country unlike abroad where their welfare was given priority.
“Peace has eluded the country due to the fact that elders whom we are supposed to consult for ideas that can move the country forward, government have been neglected by the government.
Many of the retired persons had sacrificed for this country by serving it during their youthful days and when they were supposed to reap the fruits of their labour after retirement, they were being denied their pensions.
She warned that if government does not pay attention to the welfare of the older persons then there would be no one to look back to at critical periods.
Addressing the old people at the event on a topic : ‘Care of the Skin at Old Age,’ Ayanlowo described the skin as the largest organ of the body and the most obvious hence the need to care for it.
Speaking on the functions of the skin, the guest lecturer said it helps regulate the body temperature, acts as sensory organ to feel, among others.
She said ageing of the skin could be modulated by environmental factors, chronic exposure to ultra violet radiation of the sun and hormonal changes such as menopause in women.
“Skin gets thinner as we grow old and easily gets damaged as well as bruised. It also experiences loss of collagen which makes the skin saggy, wrinkly and prolonged healing”, she said.
The dermatologist spoke further on factors predisposing the elderly to skin diseases to include change in environment and social circumstances, poverty, poor nutrition, home care and disability.
On how to care for their skin, the don suggested eating good quality food especially balanced diet, modifying the environment to suit skin type, avoid conditions that will promote excessive sweating and avoid over bathing which can degrease the skin.
She also warned old people to avoid overuse of Paracetamol which can damage their lever adding that itching could predate very serious skin disease and a pointer to serious disease of internal organs such as kidney, liver or thyroid.
The convener of the lecture, Prof Oluwayemisi Obashoro, a Professor of Adult Education at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) said the annual lecture was instituted to mark her birthday by taking care of the aged by giving them useful information on how to care for themselves during old age in order for them to age gracefully and not become a burden to family members and a nuisance to the society.
By: Esther Bakare
New Telegraph News
