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. 2021 Jun 1;24(2):151-153.
doi: 10.5770/cgj.24.488. eCollection 2021 Jun.

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

Jennifer Bethell  1   2 , Hannah M O'Rourke  3 , Heather Eagleson  4 , Daniel Gaetano  4 , Wayne Hykaway  4 , Carrie McAiney  5   6
Affiliations

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

Jennifer Bethell et al. Can Geriatr J. .

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.

Keywords: dementia; loneliness; long-term care homes; social engagement; social network; social support.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES The authors declare that no conflicts of interest exist.

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