Mental Retardaton in the Elderly: Mitigating the Issues with Cognitive Behavioural Theraphy for the Elderly in Rivers State

Abstract

The study assessed mental retardation in the elderly, mitigating the issues with cognitive behavioral therapy for the elderly in Rivers State. Expost-facto survey design was used in carrying out the study. The study was conducted in Rivers State. The population of the study comprises of all home economists and psychologists in Rivers State. Simple random sampling technique was used to select 40 respondents (20 psychologists and 20 economists) from each of the three senatorial district which gave a total of 120 respondents used for the study. The instrument used for data collection was a structured questionnaire tagged “MENTAL RETARDATON and COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL THERAPHY QUESTIONNAIRE (MRCBTQ). To ascertain the face and content validity, the instrument was presented to the researcher’s supervisor and one expert in test and measurement and evaluation. A reliability coefficient result of 0.81 was obtained and that caused the instrument to be reliable for the study as the result was substantially high enough for use of the instrument in the study. The study revealed that with the global aging trend, the prevalence of cognitive impairment among seniors has gained prominence. Cognitive-behavioral therapy often incorporates activities that target problem-solving skills, encouraging individuals to think critically and work through challenges. For elderly individuals with intellectual disabilities, these interventions can enhance their adaptive problem-solving abilities. It also revealed that as the elderly face cognitive decline, it does not only affect their quality of life but also places a strain on healthcare systems. A well-established psychotherapeutic approach has shown promising results in addressing cognitive impairments and enhancing overall mental well-being in various age groups. In conclusion, there is very high extent mental retardation among most elderly in Rivers State. It could also be concluded that the major cause of mental retardation experienced by the elderly Medication side effects. Also, the major effect of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Mitigation of Mental Retardation in Elderly Cognitive Stimulation and Rehabilitation. One of the recommendations made was that community campaigns should be launched to raise awareness about mental health issues among the elderly, emphasizing the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in mitigating cognitive challenges.