Social Connection is Essential in Long-Term Care Homes: Considerations During COVID-19 and Beyond

Overview

Journal Can Geriatr J

Specialty Geriatrics

Date 2021 Jun 3

PMID 34079609

Citations 16

Authors

Jennifer Bethell

Hannah M ORourke

Heather Eagleson

Daniel Gaetano

Wayne Hykaway

Carrie McAiney

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on long-term care (LTC) homes in Canada. But the measures put in place to control infection within LTC homes have also had devastating impacts on the health and well-being of residents through the effects on social connection. Here, we offer guiding principles to enable social connection and promote health and quality of life for LTC residents during COVID-19 and beyond. These principles were generated by a working group of the COVID-19 and Dementia Task Force, convened by the Alzheimer Society of Canada to identify the urgent and emerging issues raised by COVID-19 for Canadians with dementia.

Citing Articles

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Social connection in long-term care homes: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators.

Chapman H, Bethell J, Dewan N, Liougas M, Livingston G, McGilton K BMC Geriatr. 2024; 24(1):857.

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Caregiving in long-term care before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

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Health Provider Experiences in Supporting Social Connectedness Between Families and Older Adults Living in Long-Term Care Homes.

Garnett A, Pollock H, Prentice K, Floriancic N, Donelle L, Hand C SAGE Open Nurs. 2024; 10:23779608241239314.

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Harding E, Rossi-Harries S, Gerritzen E, Zimmerman N, Hoare Z, Proctor D BMC Geriatr. 2023; 23(1):392.

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