A new article published in the Canadian Journal on Aging highlights a unique approach to addressing loneliness in long-term care.
Social isolation and loneliness in long-term care settings are a growing concern. Drawing on concepts of social citizenship, a peer mentoring program was developed in which resident mentors and volunteers formed a team, met weekly for training, and paired up to visit isolated residents.
As part of a larger mixed-methods study conducted in ten senior living sites, mentors were interviewed (N = 48) and data was analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
“It makes you feel good to help!”
Three inter-related themes were identified: Helping others, helping ourselves described the personal benefits experienced by residents 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.
These findings suggest a structured approach to mentoring benefits residents and helps them feel confident taking on a role supporting their isolated peers.
Peer mentoring may be an approach that can help to reduce the substantial medical and human costs associated with loss of purpose, loneliness, and depression within long-term care settings.
Enhancing the social roles of residents as citizens has considerable potential to mitigate the ageist social discourses surrounding people living in these settings. Importantly, it can provide residents with opportunities to use their skills and have a life with value, purpose and meaning.
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