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A community-based psychosocial group treatment for older adults with loneliness

Year:
2019
Duration:
52 months
Approved budget:
$248,814.85
Researchers:
Dr Gary Cheung
Health issue:
Ageing
Proposal type:
Health Delivery Feasibility Study
Lay summary
Loneliness affects about 10% of older New Zealanders. It is associated with higher death rates and poorer health outcomes. There has been no previous NZ clinical trial on reducing loneliness among older adults. Overseas experiences suggest psychosocial group treatment can be effective for improving loneliness and health outcomes, and it is cost-effective. We therefore propose a NZ multi-centre study to investigate the benefits of a community based psychosocial group treatment for older adults with loneliness. However, a feasibility study will be required to inform many aspects of the full study. This feasibility study involves two Age Concern branches. Its principle methodology is to find out the feasibility of recruiting older adults through Age Concern and the district health boards' interRAI assessment process; training and supervision of group facilitators to deliver the group treatment; participants’ adherence and drop-out rates; and costs.