By Maryanne Kooda
Social care is defined as the provision of social work, personal care, protection or social support services to children or adults who are at risk, or in need of special care arising from illness, disability, old age or poverty-related challenges.
In the Nigerian culture, care for children and the elderly is often left to relatives or house helps who are often unskilled illiterates. In this article we explore the reasons that is beneficial for Caregivers to understand the fundamentals of social care in theory and practice.
In May 2015 the Federal Government of Nigeria approved the establishment of Vocational Enterprise Institutions (VEIs) and Innovative Enterprise Institutions (IEIs), which work with businesses to provide vocational and technical training.
VEIs are secondary school-level programmes that conclude with the award of a National Vocational Certificate, while IEIs provide post-secondary, 1-to-2, and 3-to-4 year courses that lead to a National Innovation Diploma.
The Dewdrop Institute’s vocational training Centres in Abuja and Enugu, Nigeria affords our trainees the opportunity to acquire top-notch knowledge and skills in a serene learning environment, from industry experts in the Care and Hospitality economy.
The Institute’s core training aims to provide easily accessible and affordable skill training for Personal Care Service providers, and create a professional career path with appropriate remuneration, social benefits and life-long learning opportunities in the Care and Hospitality sector. Nigeria has a high population of elderly persons and vulnerable persons who need personal (social) care; however, they are largely taken care of by untrained domestic servants who are poorly compensated and work in dead end jobs with no benefits. Such servants have no zeal or commitment to the work, and only provide the service as an interim source of survival.
Here are reasons that Nigeria Needs Professional Caregivers
- Urbanization
Many families are located in urban areas where they live and work, often far removed from extended families. This often creates a type of isolation that makes caring for the elderly very difficult. Having trained young people who can care for the elderly reduces the burden of responsibility.
- Family Stress
When all adults in the family have to carry work responsibilities and other domestic responsibilities in the home, this creates a lot of stress. When these heavy weights of responsibilities are added to the care of the elderly, it becomes very unbearable especially for the women and young girls who traditionally responsible for delivering such care. Having skilled caregivers, significantly reduces such stress for the mutual benefit of every member of the family and the Caregiver.
- Mental and Physical Health of the Elderly
As people age, they develop health challenges that need special care such as Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Arthritis, Diabetes, and other age-related health challenges. It is important that such Caregivers have basic knowledge and adequate skills on how to care for such clients.
- Nature of Nigeria’s “House Help” Culture
Many homes have young girls and boys who they use as domestic servants. Most of these young people include school drop-outs or those who could not afford to further their education. This type of working arrangement provides mutual benefits since they ensure that the boys and girls who provide the care have a chance to have access to quality education, and certified training to do their work efficiently.
- Incidents of Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse is very common when those caring for the elderly do not have requisite skills or knowledge that would enable them to meet the often sensitive needs of the elderly. It is critical that the fundamental human rights of the elderly and their caregivers are not be violated due to lack of knowledge. Ignorance is not an excuse to be negligent or abusive of the elderly.
Contact the Dewdrop Institute about qualifications available for training caregivers today.
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