Cognitive behavioural therapy as a counselling strategy for handling loneliness among elderly persons in Nigeria

Abstract

Elderly persons experience psychosocial problems as their age increases. They are prone to psychological and social changes as a result of the weakened immune system, diminished sensory organs, loss of independence and reduced functional ability. The psychosocial problems of depression, anxiety, isolation and loneliness have significant effects on their well-being and quality of life. These conditions could be managed through counselling approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). CBT is effective in reducing the impacts of psychosocial problems in elderly persons. It is a directive, time-limited therapy that could be used to equip elderly persons with skills to modify distorted thoughts and change maladaptive behaviour patterns. This paper, therefore, proposes that CBT be adopted as an effective counselling strategy for handling loneliness among elderly persons based on several empirical pieces of evidence and support. The guidelines, techniques and applications involved in executing the CBT are discussed in the paper.