International Journal of Sub-Saharan African Research (IJSSAR)

Background: Ageing is a normal part of life. As people age, they often experience a range of physical, social, and cognitive changes that lead to significant functional decline. This condition is referred to as Geriatric Giants, and they manifest in forms of falls, incontinence, immobility, and cognitive impairment. In Nigeria, the elderly population is growing, and this demographic shift brings unique healthcare challenges that require serious attention. Despite this, there remains a dearth of data on the functionality of these giants among elderly patients in Nigeria, particularly in Calabar.
Objective: This study sought to assess the level of functionality using geriatric giants among the elderly presented at the geriatrics clinic, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study involving 242 elderly patients. Data were entered and analysed using SPSS version 20. Logistic regression analysis was used to check for independent predictors of functionality. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
Result: The overall mean age of the participants’ was 69.20 ± 8.05 years. There were more males (50.4%) compared to females (49.6%). Majority of the respondents (63.6%) were aged 60-69 years. Using logistic regression, only the age group of the participants, and, balance and fall, were independent predictors of functionality among the elderly.
Conclusion: Integration of routine screening of the elderly for hearing impairment, as well as balance and fall risk as part of their holistic care should be advocated in order to address these issues regularly and improve functionality among the elderly.
Unique Contribution: This study provides local data on the functionality of Geriatric Giants among elderly patients in Calabar, Nigeria, filling a knowledge gap and providing insights to inform context-specific healthcare strategies and improve care outcomes for older adults in the country and beyond.
Key Recommendation: One unique contribution is that the routine care of the elderly in our clinic should place more emphasis on their functionality rather than disease conditions.