Telehealth counselling in residential aged care to reduce depression, anxiety, and loneliness: a feasibility and acceptability study

Abstract

Objectives: This study addressed the high prevalence of mental health issues among older adults in residential aged care facilities and the undertreatment of these concerns. Focusing on the innovative use of telehealth, the research aimed to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a telehealth counselling service for older adults in aged care. Methods: Data collected between May 2020 and May 2023 from an Australian telehealth counselling service for residential aged care formed the basis of this study. Participants were predominantly female (69%), with 35% of referrals from rural areas. Using a single-arm, pre-post service evaluation design, the investigation assessed outcomes related to depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness in Australian aged care residents before and after telehealth counselling. Results: Three-hundred and ninety-four aged care residents participated in 3,445 counselling sessions, averaging 8.8 sessions each lasting approximately 54 min. Supportive counselling emerged as the most frequently used therapeutic intervention. The study reports high satisfaction levels among both residents and referrers, a low attrition rate, and a high uptake rate. Statistically significant reductions in depressive and anxiety symptoms, as well as loneliness, were observed post-telehealth counselling. Conclusion: Telehealth counselling within residential aged care is feasible and acceptable by aged care residents and referrers and shows promising preliminary efficacy in reducing depressive and anxiety symptoms and loneliness. The positive outcomes underscore the need for a larger randomised control trial to further validate the potential of telehealth counselling in this setting.