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Integrating Web-Based Applications into Aged Care: Two Case Studies and Discussion

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Abstract

In anticipation of the growing need for adequate mental health care for older adults in residential aged care facilities, psychologists are challenged to overcome several barriers that impede the uptake and delivery of their services in such settings. Information and communication technologies (ICT) have strong potential to overcome some of these barriers by supporting the delivery of evidence-based psychosocial treatments for common psychogeriatric issues. This paper presents two case studies that illustrate when and how psychologists can use various ICT applications (e.g., tablet devices, web-based applications) integrated with cognitive behavioural and reminiscence-based therapies. Both case studies demonstrate that ICT can effectively support the therapeutic alliance, enhance therapeutic engagement, and individualize treatment delivery to accommodate the needs of elderly patients. It is hoped that these case studies will encourage clinicians to consider using ICT to augment therapy with their elderly patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Health, Arts and Design, Swinburne University of Technology, P.O. Box 218, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia

    Imogen C. Rehm, Selma Musić, Anthony Carlsson & Faye Scanlan

  2. Jewish Care, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Mark Silver

  3. Brain and Psychological Sciences Research Centre, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

    Sunil S. Bhar

Authors
  1. Imogen C. Rehm
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  2. Selma Musić
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  3. Anthony Carlsson
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  4. Faye Scanlan
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  5. Mark Silver
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  6. Sunil S. Bhar
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Correspondence to Imogen C. Rehm.

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Conflict of Interest

Imogen C. Rehm, Selma Musić, Anthony Carlsson, Faye Scanlan, Mark Silver, and Sunil S. Bhar declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Human and Animal Rights and Informed Consent

No animal or human research studies were carried out by the authors for this article. The case study materials in the report have been altered so as to strip away all identifying information and preserve client anonymity.

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Rehm, I.C., Musić, S., Carlsson, A. et al. Integrating Web-Based Applications into Aged Care: Two Case Studies and Discussion. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 23, 285–297 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-016-9457-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-016-9457-8

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