Phototherapy as a way to improve the psychological well‐being of older adults during the COVID‐19 pandemic

Phototherapy can provide the conditions for self-awareness, improving family and social relationships, and increasing visual literacy skills, and can be considered an effective way to improve the mental health of vulnerable people (Glaw et al., 2017). Looking at photographs of important life events (such as births, marriages and honours) or family members (children and grandchildren) by creating a deeper and more comprehensive meaning (Keisari et al., 2022), reduces feelings of loneliness, depression and anxiety in the older adults and brings happiness, love, intimacy, optimism, hope and psychological well-being to them (Gantumur et al., 2020). [...]due to ease of use, no need for high skills or expertise, cost-effectiveness and the possibility of implementation in any place, phototherapy can be considered a therapeutic approach in crises and pandemics such as COVID-19 to improve the psychological well-being of older adults. Nurses can pay attention to the psychological needs of older adults by using phototherapy, a subcategory of art therapy, and it seems that it will have a positive effect on other aspects of the health of older adults.