COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO AGEISM: TOWARDS AN AGE- INCLUSIVE SOCIETY IN IGABI, KADUNA STATE

Abstract

Ageism, a pervasive global challenge, significantly impacts older adults in Nigeria,yet remains understudied in specific local contexts. This study investigates how social exclusionand limited healthcare access perpetuate ageism among older adults in Igabi, Kaduna State, guidedby Social Exclusion Theory and the Structural Ageism Perspective. A mixed-methods approachwas employed, combining a survey of 50 older adults with in-depth interviews and focus groupdiscussions involving eight community stakeholders. Findings reveal that low communityparticipation and exclusion from decision-making roles strongly correlate with experiences ofageism. Concurrently, healthcare barriers including unaffordable costs, prolonged waiting times,and a critical lack of geriatric services heighten perceptions of discriminatory treatment.Qualitative narratives illustrate how older adults are sidelined in family and community affairs andneglected within healthcare settings. The study concludes that ageism in Igabi is not merely anindividual bias but is deeply embedded in structural and cultural processes that systematicallymarginalize the elderly. To combat this, integrated interventions are recommended, focusing onenhancing community participation, improving access to affordable and age-friendly healthcare,and challenging ageist stereotypes through targeted awareness campaigns.