Telehealth Dignity Therapy for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Feasibility and Potential Efficacy

Research investigating accessible positive psychology interventions for older adults is lacking. We examined the feasibility and potential efficacy of Telehealth dignity therapy (TDT), a brief psychotherapy involving life review, culminating in the creation of a transcribed life story. Feasibility was measured by participant satisfaction levels and attrition rates. In accordance with past dignity therapy research, we investigated changes in participants' meaning in life (MiL) before TDT, after TDT, and at three-month follow-up. Other secondary wellbeing outcomes were assessed. Twenty participants completed the program and reported high levels of satisfaction. Participants' MiL and life satisfaction significantly improved between before and after TDT, and MiL gains were maintained at three-month follow-up. The program was found to be a feasible, timely, and potentially efficacious positive psychology intervention for community-dwelling older adults. Future larger-scale, controlled research is required to consolidate these findings.