A feasibility study of group‐based cognitive behaviour therapy for older adults in residential care

• Published in: Clinical psychologist (Australian Psychological Society) Vol. 22; no. 2; pp. 192 - 202
• Main Authors: Anderson, Katrina, Wickramariyaratne, Tushara, Blair, Annaliese
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Melbourne John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd 01.07.2018; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Anxiety; Behavior modification; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive behavioral therapy; cognitive behaviour therapy; Cognitive impairment; Cognitive therapy; Comorbidity; depression; Elder care; Emotional support; Feasibility; Feasibility studies; Friendship; Functional impairment; Group psychotherapy; Group therapy; Health problems; long‐term care; Mental depression; Mental health; Nursing homes; older adults; Older people; psychological therapy; Psychotherapy; Recruitment; Residential care; Resilience; Social networks; Validity
• ISSN: 1328-4207; 1742-9552
• DOI: 10.1111/cp.12109

Objective This study examined the feasibility of providing older adults living in residential aged care with group‐based cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for depression and anxiety. Method Eighteen participants with subclinical to mild anxiety and/or depression were divided equally into a treatment group and a control group, with treatment consisting of a manualised CBT program for older adults with depression and anxiety. The residents who participated in the group program provided an accurate representation of “real‐world” residential aged care facilities (RACF) populations; many with comorbid physical problems, mild cognitive impairment and functional decline, and a mean age of almost 80 years. Results The residents showed that not only could they successfully engage in psychotherapy, they were able to experience the benefits such as building their skills and resilience, receiving validation and emotional support from their fellow residents and fostering friendships and social networks. Encouragingly, the treatment group also showed fewer depressive symptoms post‐treatment. Conclusions Group‐based psychotherapy should continue to be explored as a strategy to promote good mental health in RACFs, with further studies focusing on the feasibility of recruiting and treating clinical populations in this setting.