Health Sciences
Older adults with long-term conditions (including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease) are more likely to experience depression and are more vulnerable to social isolation, which can increase the risk of loneliness.
A brief psychological support called Behavioural Activation (BA) was adapted specifically for older adults; to be delivered remotely (via telephone or video) for those who were at risk of social isolation during the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions. The study investigated whether this BA intervention could mitigate depression and loneliness in this population.
The aim of the BASIL programme of research was to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of the BASIL Behavioural Activation intervention, to prevent or reduce depression and loneliness in older adults with long-term conditions.
Visit the BASIL programme website for further details, findings and publications.