The Aged and Aging in Contemporary Nigeria: Challenges and Counseling Implications

M.M. Baba & Babaji Mohammed

                                                      Department of Educational Foundation

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Nigeria.

E-mail – mmahmoudbaba@gmail.com, Elifaithrose@gmail.com

Abstract

The aim of this paper was to portray the social category in the society referred to as the aged, as well as ageing as imperative in the life span of human beings. The aged in Nigeria hardly receive the much needed attention; hence they are mostly relegated to the background. The absence of attention and welfare for the aged aggravate their health physically, mentally and psychologically. Ageing as a life-long process is fraught with problems and challenges, which place the aged at perpetual disadvantage. In addition to deterioration in physical and health condition, variety of illnesses present themselves, graduating to depression and wish for demise. To ameliorate the problems and challenges, counseling implications are drawn to at least ameliorate the challenges and mitigate the effects of ageing. Meanings of aged and ageing are provided, reasons for neglect and efforts of governments and other non-governmental organizations are espoused. Specific counseling approaches such as behavior modification, rational emotive, attitude and psychological trauma management as well as depression coping to address the problems of the aged are also given in this paper.