CARING FOR THE HEALTH CHALLENGES AMONG ELDERLY PERSONS IN A PERIOD OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN DELTA STATE

This study was undertaken to investigate caring for the health challenges among
elderly persons in a period of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state. The study
utilised descriptive survey design. The population was 10,759 teachers in public
secondary schools in Delta State in the 2020/2021 academic year. The researcher
sampled 2152 teachers representing 20 % of teachers in public secondary schools
in Delta State. The tool utilised in this investigation was described as “Caring for
the Health Challenges among Elderly Persons Questionnaire” (CHCEPQ)”.
Items on the tool were appraised with the four points scoring scale of Strongly
Agree (4 points), Agree (3 points), Disagree (2 points) and Strongly Disagree (1
point). From 2152 copies of the tool administered, 2141 copies or 0.99 % were
retrieved. Male teachers were 1335 whereas female teachers were 806. Mean
rating and standard deviation were utilised to respond to the 4 research
questions.. z test were utilised to test the two null hypotheses created to direct
the investigation at 0.05 levels of significance. Findings: in the investigation
revealed that the forms of health challenges facing the elderly persons in a period
of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state were high as the ratings were high. There
was significant difference between “male” and “female” Teachers on approaches
for caring for health challenges among Elderly persons in a period of COVID-19
pandemic in Delta state. There was significant difference between “experienced”
and l”ess experienced” teachers approaches for caring for health challenges
among elderly persons in a period of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state. It was
concluded in the investigation that the forms of health challenges facing the
elderly persons in a period of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state were high. The
factors responsible for health challenges among elderly persons in a period of
COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state were high. The approaches for caring for
health challenges among elderly persons in a period of COVID-19 pandemic in
Delta state were high. “male” and “female” Teachers significantly differs on
approaches for caring for health challenges among elderly persons in a period of
COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state. “experienced” and l”ess experienced”
teachers significantly differs on approaches for caring for health challenges
among elderly persons in a period of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state. It was
suggested in this investigation that adequate care should be provided by families
of elderly persons in a period of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state. The
government of Delta state should make provision for the care of elderly persons
Okudaye , I.N. *Caring For the Health Challenges among… 79
in a period of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state. Corporate organizations should
assist the government of Delta state in caring for the elderly persons in a period
of COVID-19 pandemic in Delta state.