Impact of Neglect on the Psychosocial Wellbeing of the Elderly in Selected Institutionalized Homes in Ibadan Metropolis, Nigeria

The population is ageing and the needed social support systems are gradually fading away. This study examined the effect of neglect on the wellbeing of the elderly in selected old peoples’ homes in Ibadan. A descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study and the target population comprised of elderly residing in old peoples’ homes in Ibadan. A simple random sampling was used to select 108 older persons in the old peoples’ homes in Ibadan; an adopted standardized questionnaire was used to collect the requisite data. Three research hypotheses were formulated and were tested using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at 0.05 level of significance. The result showed that, there was a significant effect of emotional neglect on the wellbeing of the elderly in institutionalized homes in Ibadan metropolis (f=51.5, df=10/97, f-crit=2.60) The second hypothesis showed that, there was a significant effect of physical neglect on the wellbeing of the elderly in institutionalized homes in Ibadan metropolis (F=44.0, df=10/97, f-crit=2.60). The third hypothesis there was a significant effect of social neglect on the wellbeing of the elderly in institutionalized homes in Ibadan metropolis (F=31.6, df =10/97, f-crit =2.60) The study recommends that, there is need for family members should be orientated on financial support for aged, the society should be enlightened on the danger attached to discrimination of the elderly, government should improve social support systems of the elderly in the country.