EL-AGED Care US Fund Diaspora Fund
Introduction
EL-AGED Care Ltd/GTE (“EL-AGED Care”) is a registered not-for-profit non-governmental organization in Nigeria (CAC/RC 1134133) dedicated to transforming the care and support landscape for older persons, especially those residing in rural and underserved communities. The organization was founded out of deep recognition that older adults in rural Nigeria often lack access to essential services, face social isolation, and suffer from poverty and declining familial support systems. EL-AGED Care exists to address these gaps by developing sustainable, community-centered care models that improve quality of life for older persons across the country.
History and Context
Nigeria is undergoing demographic change, with a growing number of older adults. Traditional family-based care systems are weakening due to urbanization, migration, and economic pressures, leaving many rural older persons vulnerable with unmet health and social needs. EL-AGED Care was established to offer innovative and integrated solutions that enable older persons to age well, physically, socially, and psychologically, within their communities rather than in isolation.
Mission and Vision
The mission of EL-AGED Care is to provide a comprehensive model of community care that incorporates medical, social, recreational rehabilitation, and supportive services tailored to the needs of older persons, particularly in rural areas. The organization strives to promote health, functional ability, independence, and dignity for older adults. Its vision is to be the organization of first choice for all-inclusive community care for the elderly, ensuring they live empowered, active, and meaningful lives. EL-AGED Care’s work is guided by core values of Integrity, Hospitality, Excellence, and Respect.
EL-AGED Care’s operations align with broader goals of social inclusion, equity, and enhanced wellbeing for all members of society. The organization advocates for ageing in place, enabling older persons to remain in their homes and communities for as long as possible while also offering facility-based care options for those who need additional support.
Strategic Goals and Objectives
EL-AGED Care’s strategic goals focus on expanding access to quality services and creating enabling environments where older persons can thrive:
- Integrated Community Care: Deliver a range of services that combine medical, social, rehabilitative, and supportive care tailored to the needs of older persons.
- Age-Friendly Environments: Support accessible and inclusive physical and social spaces where older persons can age with dignity, enjoy good health, and participate fully in community life.
- Home-Based Support Services: Offer in-home care and respite services delivered by trained personnel to assist older adults with health monitoring, medication support, personal care (e.g., bathing, dressing), and activities of daily living.
- Facility-Based Residential Care: Establish and manage residential care homes that provide shelter, supervision, meals, personal care, and structured support for daily living for residents who require ongoing attention.
- Health Education and Self-Management: Empower older persons to understand and manage chronic diseases and health behaviours to improve functional independence and quality of life.
- Systems Change & Capacity Building: Lead efforts to influence ageing care policy and practice, engage stakeholders, and collaborate with like-minded organizations to expand care networks nationwide.
Past and Current Activities
EL-AGED Care has implemented a wide range of programmes and interventions to address the complex needs of older persons from community-based engagement to direct care services:
- Adult Day Centre
EL-AGED Care’s Adult Day Centre is a community hub where older adults receive regular routine health monitoring, participate in therapeutic and social activities, and access health education resources that support physical and mental wellbeing. The Centre reduces social isolation, fosters peer support, and enhances overall quality of life for older participants.
- Chronic Disease Self-Management Initiative
Through a pilot Chronic Disease Self-Management Intervention, EL-AGED Care provides education and support that equip older persons with the knowledge and skills to make informed health decisions, strengthen self-care competence, and adopt healthier behaviours to prevent disease progression, a critical aspect of improving long-term wellbeing.
- In-Home Support and Respite Services
EL-AGED Care recognizes that many older adults prefer to remain in their homes. The organization offers in-home support and respite services, where trained personnel assist with daily living activities, general health monitoring, companionship, transport to appointments, counselling, and optional spiritual care and thus helping individuals age in place while supporting family caregivers.
- Geriatric Care Home
The organization runs a Geriatric Care Home, a residential facility providing comprehensive and continuous support for older adults who require sustained supervision and care. The facility offers shelter, structured routines, personal care, meals, health observation, and opportunities for social engagement. This service bridges the gap between home-based support and clinical needs, enabling residents to live safely and engage meaningfully with peers.
- Charity Hospital Services
To widen access to essential healthcare, EL-AGED Care operates Charity Hospital Services that deliver affordable or subsidized clinical support, health screenings, treatment services, and referrals for older persons who may not otherwise have access to formal medical care. Through community outreach and partnerships with healthcare professionals, these services help reduce barriers to essential care.
Systems Change and Collaborative Leadership
EL-AGED Care also positions itself as a leader in systems change, engaging in broader initiatives to improve the overall elder care ecosystem in Nigeria. In collaboration with a founder-led coalition, the Association of Care Service Providers to Older Persons in Nigeria (ACSPOPIN), the organization has been instrumental in developing the country’s first Aged Care Quality Standards and Regulation Manual, designed to introduce quality benchmarks and guide best practices across the sector.
Through ACSPOPIN and other partnerships, EL-AGED Care champions collective action at state and national levels, shaping policy, strengthening caregiver support systems, and advocating for age-inclusive programmes and services that respect the rights and dignity of older persons.
Future Planned Activities
Looking ahead, EL-AGED Care is actively expanding its impact and planning new services to meet the evolving needs of older persons throughout Nigeria with special focus on rural communities:
- Hospice & Palliative Care Services:
The organization is planning to establish a dedicated Hospice Service to deliver compassionate end-of-life care for older persons with life-limiting conditions. This service will focus on pain management, emotional and psychosocial support, spiritual care, and family counselling, ensuring dignity, comfort, and quality of life during critical transitional periods.
- Expansion of Geriatric Care Home & Charity Hospital:
EL-AGED Care plans to grow its existing Geriatric Care Home and Charity Hospital services by increasing capacity, enhancing clinical capabilities, and integrating specialized care units. This expansion will enable the organization to serve a larger population and offer more comprehensive health and residential support.
- Policy Advocacy & Community Engagement:
The organization will continue to advocate for supportive public policies that improve care standards, caregiver protections, and resource allocation for ageing services. Outreach initiatives will deepen community engagement through awareness campaigns, caregiver training programmes, and partnerships with government agencies, civil society groups, and private sector stakeholders.
- Geographic Expansion & Service Replication:
Building on successful programmes such as the Adult Day Centre and self-management initiatives, EL-AGED Care plans to replicate its care models across additional states in Nigeria. This geographic expansion aims to broaden access to age-friendly services and establish regional Centres of excellence in community care.
- Capacity Building & Training:
To strengthen the elder care workforce, EL-AGED Care will invest in professional development, certification programmes, and caregiver training to improve service quality and ensure adherence to best practices. This includes training health workers, community volunteers, and family caregivers to support Nigeria’s growing ageing population effectively.