The Impact of eBook Clubs on Apathy Among Long Term Care Residents: A Pilot Study

Apathy, prevalent among long-term care facilities (LTCF) residents, diminishes motivation, social interaction, and quality of life. This study explored the impact of eBook clubs as a non-pharmacological intervention to reduce apathy. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed with 20 residents from four LTCF participating in a 3-month program. Apathy was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-3A) before and after the intervention, with paired t-tests and Cohen’s d measuring changes. Qualitative insights were derived from semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis. Apathy prevalence dropped from 55% to 35%, and mean scores decreased significantly (1.6–0.9; Cohen’s d = 0.85). Participants highlighted cognitive, emotional, and social benefits, valuing program flexibility and eReaders but noting some preference for physical books. These findings suggest eBook clubs as a scalable, cost-effective strategy for LTCF. Future studies should evaluate its broader applicability and explore culturally tailored implementations.