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The burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) on the elderly population in three divisions within the Northwest Region of Cameroon was examined. Data for this paper were extracted from a larger study which had been conducted concerning the burden of HIV infection and AIDS on the older adults in the Northwest Region of Cameroon. Using in-depth interviews (IDIs) and focus group discussions (FGDs), data were collected from 36 participants who were purposively selected from the three divisions which had been chosen randomly. 6 FGD sessions were held with 30 women aged 60 years and above and who were affected by HIV infection and AIDS, while IDIs sessions were held with 6 male community leaders. The results revealed that HIV infection and AIDS has added another dimension to the role of older persons. HIV infection and AIDS affects older people in diverse ways, as they have to look after themselves, their sick children and are often also left to look after their grandchildren orphaned by HIV infection and AIDS. These emerging issues in their lives make them vulnerable to health, social, economic and psychological challenges, and place a burden on them as caregivers instead of being cared for in their old age. Apart from increased direct expenditures, taking care of victims of HIV infection and AIDS requires older people to stay away from social, religious and community activities. The results showed that the loss of a child to HIV infection and AIDS affects the economic/financial well-being, participation in social/religious interactions as well as the community activities of older people participants. The implications of these findings for caregiving and social policy are discussed.

Like any other country in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria's elderly population too is increasing rapidly. In Nigeria, those aged 65 years and above (the elderly) make up 3.1% or 5.9 million of the total population of 191 million, which in crude numbers represents an increase of 600 000 during the 5 year period 2012-2017. Many older people in Nigeria are exposed to multiple health problems, to such an extent that there is a need for an extended health care programme and support for sustainable good quality of life. This study explored older people's perceptions of an "elderly-friendly" facility based at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in Edo state, Nigeria. Thirty participants were interviewed between the months of March and December 2018. With the help of a key informant who is also staff of the geriatric section of the hospital a purposive sampling technique was used to select 10 in-patients and 19 out-patients among older adults for the study. A qualitative content analysis was conducted. Elderly-friendly services, the expectation from government and hospital management, and health policy related to senior citizens were developed as main themes. Most of the participants were satisfied with the ABOUT THE AUTHORS Perpetua Lum Tanyi holds an MSW(University of Benin), M.Sc. and PhD (Social work) from