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Social isolation and loneliness in long-term care settings are a growing concern. Drawing on concepts of social citizenship, we developed a peer mentoring program in which resident mentors and volunteers formed a team, met weekly for training, and paired up to visit isolated residents. In this article, we explore the experiences of the resident mentors. As part of a larger mixed-methods study conducted in 10 sites in Canada, we interviewed mentors (n = 48) and analysed data using inductive thematic analysis. We identified three inter-related themes: Helping others, helping ourselves described the personal benefits experienced through adopting a helping role; Building a bigger social world encapsulated new connections with those visited, and; Facing challenges, learning together described how mentors dealt with challenges as a team. Our findings suggest that a structured approach to mentoring benefits residents and helps them feel confident taking on a role supporting their isolated peers.

Objectives: Loneliness and depression are of increasing concern in long-term care homes made more urgent by viral outbreak isolation protocols. An innovative program called Java Mentorship was deve...

Loneliness, depression, and social isolation are common among people living in long-term care homes, despite the activities provided. We examined the impact of a new peer mentoring program called Java Mentorship on mentees’ loneliness, depression, and social engagement, and described their perceptions of the visits. We conducted a mixed-methods approach in 10 homes in Ontario, Canada, and enrolled residents as mentees ( n = 74). We used quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to understand their experience. After 6 months, mentees ( n = 43) showed a 30% reduction in depression ( p = .02, d = .76), a 12% reduction in loneliness ( p = .02, d = .76), and a 60% increase in the number of monthly programs attended ( p = .01, d = .37), with small-to-medium effect sizes. The analysis of mentee’s interviews revealed positive perceptions. This program offers an innovative, nonpharmacological alternative to the treatment of loneliness and depression.

Loneliness and depression are serious mental health concerns across the spectrum of residential care, from nursing homes to assisted and retirement living. Psychosocial care provided to residents to address these concerns is typically based on a long-standing tradition of ‘light’ social events, such as games, trips, and social gatherings, planned and implemented by staff. Although these activities provide enjoyment for some, loneliness and depression persist and the lack of resident input perpetuates the stereotype of residents as passive recipients of care. Residents continue to report lack of meaning in their lives, limited opportunities for contribution and frustration with paternalistic communication with staff. Those living with dementia face additional discrimination resulting in a range of unmet needs including lack of autonomy and belonging—both of which are linked with interpersonal violence. Research suggests, however, that programs fostering engagement and peer support provide opportunities for residents to be socially productive and to develop a valued social identity. The purpose of this paper is to offer a re-conceptualization of current practices. We argue that residents represent a largely untapped resource in our attempts to advance the quality of psychosocial care. We propose overturning practices that focus on entertainment and distraction by introducing a new approach that centers on resident contributions and peer support. We offer a model—Resident Engagement and Peer Support (REAP)—for designing interventions that advance residents' social identity, enhance reciprocal relationships and increase social productivity. This model has the potential to revolutionize current psychosocial practice by moving from resident care to resident engagement.

Depression and loneliness are biopsychosocial determinants of health, which contribute to functional decline and mortality among older adults living in residential care. Research in other settings indicates peer support may be effective at reducing depression and loneliness and enhancing social identity. Therefore, an innovative peer mentoring intervention was developed based on the social identity theory in which volunteers and residents (mentors) form a supportive team. Mentors meet weekly, receive education and then external volunteers pair up with resident volunteers to visit socially isolated residents (visitees). This pilot study was conducted to explore visitees’ experiences with the intervention and perceived outcomes. Data were collected for 74 visitees in 10 homes in Ontario, Canada. The effectiveness of the program was assessed over a 6-month period using qualitative interviews and quantitative outcome measures including standardized measures of depressive symptoms and loneliness. Attendance at other programs was also monitored. During their interviews visitees described strong emotional connections with their peers, which contributed to feelings of empowerment and an interest in becoming mentors themselves. Visitees reported reduced symptoms of depression (p = 0.02) and loneliness (p = 0.02), and a 60% increase in the number of other monthly programs attended was observed (p = ≤ 0.01). The findings of this pilot suggest that peer mentorship may be a promising means of reducing symptoms of depression and loneliness, which are extremely prevalent in these settings. These findings will inform revisions to the program that will be evaluated in future research examining the efficacy of this intervention.

This article describes the development of a new mutual support group intervention for long-term care homes (LTCH); evaluates the processes, structure, and content of the intervention; and addresses replication and sustainability. Tom Kitwood’s model of personhood is used as the basis for developing a weekly discussion group using themes chosen by participants and theme-associated music, readings, and photographs. A mixed-methods qualitative process evaluation design encompasses focus groups, systematic observation of six resident groups, individual resident interviews ( N = 65), and staff interviews ( N = 7) in three LTCH in British Columbia, Canada. Resident reports and observations indicate positive benefits including a decrease in loneliness, the development of friendships, and increased coping skills, understanding, and support. Participating staff reported numerous benefits and described how the unique group structure fosters active participation of residents with moderate-severe cognitive impairment. This preliminary study suggests that mutual support groups have potential to offset loneliness, helplessness, and depression within LTCH.

The majority of research within long-term care (LTC) has emphasized the physical health of residents, has been cross-sectional in design and has focused almost exclusively on residents with dementia. Few longitudinal studies have followed participants over intervals longer than 1 year. In contrast, the current study set out to examine the experience of LTC residents with and without significant cognitive loss over a 2-year period comparing the psychological well-being of groups over time. Significant Group x Time interaction effects were observed between residents with and without significant cognitive loss in life satisfaction and depressive symptomatology. Results of this study underscore the need for longitudinal measurement in LTC research, the use of multivariate statistical procedures and the need to identify and meet the distinct needs of residents with and without significant cognitive loss.