Development and Effects of a Depression Management Program Based on Reminiscence Therapy for the Elderly Living Alone - Individual Home Visit Programs -

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to develop and apply a program to manage the depression of elderly people who live alone, which is now considered as a national and social crisis in South Korea. This study uses a similar experimental and retrospective before-and-after design with non-equivalent controls for a depression management program for the elderly who live alone. The experimental group who participated in the depression management program showed higher self-esteem and lower depression and suicide tendency scores than the control group who did not participate in the program. The depression management program was found to be an effective intervention that improves self-esteem and reduces depression and suicidal inclination among the elderly living alone. Since the effect was measured immediately after the experimental treatment, it is suggested that a long-term follow-up