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Social Connection in Long-term Care Homes (SONNET Study)

Social Connection in Long-term Care Homes (SONNET Study)

URL: https://goltc.org/projects/goltc-1689759298

Care HomesLoneliness among older peopleOutcome measurement in LTCResidential LTC servicesSocial connection CanadaUK FoundationsNGOs)Private non-profit (charities Mixed methodsScoping reviews

Project website
https://www.sonnetstudy.com/
Project status
Ongoing
Contact
Andrew Sommerlad
PI Name
Andrew Sommerlad / Jennifer Bethell
Host institution
University College London and University Health Network
Team members
Andrew Sommerlad Jennifer Bethell Hannah Chapman Neha Dewan Madalena Liougas Ellen Snowball
Funded by
Funded by Alzheimer's Association and Brain Canada

KEYWORDS / CATEGORIES

Countries
Canada | UK
Topics
Care Homes | Loneliness among older people | Outcome measurement in LTC | Residential LTC services | Social connection
Funding Type
Foundations | NGOs) | Private non-profit (charities
Methods
Mixed methods | Scoping reviews
Project Summary

Social connection is an umbrella term that describes how we connect to other people. Social connection includes several distinct but related concepts. Some of these concepts are readily observed or measured, like the number of people in a person’s social network or social isolation, an objective lack of social contact. Whereas other aspects of social connection are subjective, like loneliness which describes how someone feels about the quality and quantity of their relationships. Social connection is fundamental to person-centred care in long-term care homes. Yet, the development and implementation of psychometrically robust measures of social connection is limited, particularly for people living with dementia.

The findings of the SONNET Study will enable researchers and care settings to test the effects of interventions and to report outcomes at the individual-, home- and system-level. We will make our inventory of existing and new measures freely available. Our team has the interests, expertise and international networks to maximise impact by disseminating and promoting uptake of the instrument(s) in research and long-term care settings.

Outputs

Valid and reliable approaches to measuring social connection for long-term care home residents, including those living with dementia, will advance care and improve health and quality of life in this population.

The following papers have now been published:

Liougas MP, Sommerlad A, O’Rourke HM, McGilton KS, Bethell J. Social connection measures for older adults living in long-term care homes: a systematic review protocol. Syst Rev. 2024 Feb 15;13(1):67. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38360642/

Liougas MP, Sommerlad A, O’Rourke HM, Chapman H, Dewan N, McGilton KS, Bethell J. Assessing social connection for long-term care home residents: A scoping review of measure content. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2024 Sep 23;10(3):e12488. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39315314/

Dewan N, Sommerlad A, Chapman H, Banerjee S, Corazzini K, Edvardsson D, Liougas MP, Livingston G, McGilton KS, O’Rourke HM, Bethell J. Assessing social connection for long-term care home residents: Systematic review using COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments guidelines. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2024 Aug 5;10(3):e12492. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39104764/

Misiak, M. M., Bethell, J., Chapman, H., & Sommerlad, A. (2024). How can care home activities facilitate social connection in residents? A qualitative study. Aging & Mental Health, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1080/13607863.2024.2345130