Sending Money Home Is Not the Same as Caring for Elderly Parents

Many Nigerians abroad support their parents financially every month. We pay bills, buy medication, contribute to hospital costs and call as often as we can. But financial support alone may not meet an elderly parent’s daily needs. Who notices when Mum is struggling to walk, Dad misses his medication, or a parent stops eating well? Who can respond quickly after a fall, accompany them to hospital, or stay with them after discharge? These are things a short video call may not reveal. Even when siblings and relatives live in Nigeria, they may be balancing work, children and other responsibilities. Some families may need a trusted relative, domestic worker, trained caregiver, nurse or residential care arrangement. The right option depends on the parent’s health, mobility and level of independence. For Nigerians in the diaspora, how do you ensure your elderly parents receive practical day-to-day care? What arrangements have worked, and what do you wish you had put in place earlier?

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