Virtual Life Story Club Program to Reduce Loneliness and Apathy in Older Adults Living in the Community

What this Trial Is About

Reminiscence therapy is a non-invasive approach that combines social interaction and sharing personal stories to help improve thinking, mood, daily function, quality of life, and reduce apathy in older adults. This research aims to explore how a virtual group reminiscence therapy provided by the Life Story Club LSC can reduce loneliness and apathy in community-dwelling older adults. The study focuses on individuals without dementia who experience loneliness, addressing social connection as a key factor in cognitive health. Participants will join a virtual group reminiscence therapy led by trained Life Story Club facilitators. Groups of 6 to 10 people will meet weekly for one hour over a 12-week period via Zoom, sharing life stories and building community. Sessions will be conducted in English or Spanish, depending on participant preference. The study will assess changes in loneliness and apathy before and after the intervention, and feasibility will be evaluated through enrollment, acceptability, and satisfaction measures. A subset of participants will also take part in interviews to discuss their experience. During the study, participants will complete evaluations of loneliness, apathy, cognitive function, depressive symptoms, sense of meaning and purpose, and social support at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. The research will track how well participants engage with the therapy and their satisfaction with the program. The total participation duration includes the 12-week intervention and follow-up assessments at 3 and 6 months to measure changes and gather feedback on the therapys impact and feasibility.

A Virtual Life Story Club Intervention to Improve Loneliness and Apathy in Community-Dwelling Older Adults