The Future of Healthy Ageing Amidst Threats: The Role of Innovation for Nigerian Older Adults

Often, people experience a gradual decline in health as they age and may become susceptible to illnesses. With increasing health demands, challenges constraining the efficiency of filial care increase, posing a threat to healthy ageing. Strategising measures for sustainable ageing requires concentration on innovative health management services. Adopting a phenomenological study design, data were collected from 12 older adults aged 74–88 years; selected based on availability from three health institutions. We utilised a structured, in-depth interview guide. An inductive coding approach was essential to provide meaning to the coded qualitative data, which were grouped thematically. The need for an agency to care for older adults was unveiled. Findings show that ageing innovation approaches can promote effective coordination of caregiving roles for older adults. Various institutions where older adults can go periodically to meet one another were brought to the fore. Absence of social work integrated care has contributed to unhealthy ageing threats. Innovative interventions on reimagining healthy ageing were realistic through the flagship campaigns on adopting an age-friendly environment, strengths-based approach, integrated care, long/short term care, inculcating religion, and ageing policies. We recommend the collaboration of social work professionals with all partners in achieving sustainable ageing.