Telephone support groups for seniors with disabilities

The growing population of seniors with disabilities experiences unmet suppo rt needs and loneliness. Although support deficiencies can be overcome by p eers in support groups, most support groups are inaccessible to older adult s with limited physical functioning. Accordingly, this project aimed to dev elop and test the impact of an accessible telephone support group intervent ion for seniors with disabilities. Six research questions guided the study. Four telephone support groups with five to six participants (n = 23) were created, each with a professional and a peer (senior) leader. The groups me t once a week for 12 weeks. Qualitative analyses of the telephone transcrip ts and post-intervention interviews of participants and leaders revealed de creased support needs, diminished loneliness, and enhanced coping. Selectio n, training, and support of peer and professional leaders and member contro l of discussions were important ingredients of successful support groups.