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Videoconference program enhances social support, loneliness, and depressive status of elderly nursing home residents
- Authors:
- TSAI Hsiu-Hsin, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 14(8), November 2010, pp.947-954.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
An important aspect of social support for older nursing home residents is the continued involvement of family members, but many family members may have limited time to visit residents in person. The purpose of this quasi-experimental study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a videoconference intervention programme in improving nursing home residents' social support, loneliness, and depressive status. Fourteen nursing homes were selected from various areas of Taiwan by purposive sampling, and 24 elderly residents were recruited to the experimental group and 33 to the control group. The experimental group received five minutes per week of videoconference interaction with their family members for three months, and the control group received regular care only. Data were collected through face-to face interviews on social support, loneliness, and depressive status using the Social Supportive Behaviour Scale, University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale, and Geriatric Depression Scale. Data were analysed using the generalised estimating equation approach. The results indicated that subjects in the experimental group had significantly higher mean emotional and appraisal social support scores at one week and 3 months after baseline than those in the control group. Subjects in the experimental group also had lower mean loneliness scores at one week and three months after baseline than those in the control group, and lower mean depressive status scores at three months after baseline. The findings suggest that this programme could be used for residents of long-term care institutions.
The effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological well-being, depression, and loneliness among the institutionalized aged
- Authors:
- CHIANG Kai-Jo, et al
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(4), April 2010, pp.380-388.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
This paper examines the effects of reminiscence therapy on psychological well-being, depression, and loneliness among institutionalised older people in the Taipei area of Taiwan. In an experimental study design, 92 institutionalised over 65 year old males were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups. Those participants in the experimental group received reminiscence therapy eight times over a 2 month period to examine the effects of this therapy on their psychological well-being. Findings showed that after providing the reminiscence therapy to the experimental group, a 3 month follow-up review identified significant positive short-term effect on depression, psychological well-being, and loneliness, as compared to those in the control group. The authors, in conclusion, note that reminiscence therapy in this study sample improved socialisation, induced feelings of accomplishment in participants, and assisted to reduce depression. Finally, the authors suggest that healthcare workers should provide appropriate reminiscence activities in long-term caring institutions based on the characteristics of their residents, and these workers should develop a tool measure the benefits.