Difficult but achievable: medical social workers’ experiences transiting older adults from hospital care to nursing home in Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT Very few literatures have focused on transition of older adults from hospitals to nursing homes in African region. As a first step, this study explored the experience of medical social worker when transiting older adult from the hospital to nursing home in southwestern region of Nigeria. A descriptive qualitative approach collected through a semi-structured interview among 16 medical social workers showed that there is limited availability of nursing home facilities in Nigeria. Additionally, bureaucratic and administrative hurdles often added to the complexities of facilitating seamless transitions into nursing care homes. Cultural beliefs and family dynamics exert a substantial influence on the decision-making process, making the task of medical social workers even more intricate. There is a need for a greater support from policymakers and healthcare authorities to address the challenges facing Nigerian medical social workers. Hence, to better understand and address these experiences, the healthcare system can better equip medical social workers to navigate the transitions effectively and ensure the well-being of older adults during this crucial phase of their lives is adequately supported.