Project Summary
Background: To control COVID-19 in long-term care settings, lockdowns were imposed, preventing residents from seeing family and friends in person and leading to increased social isolation and loneliness. Future PCOR/CER should address issues in this disproportionately affected population by testing and disseminating interventions that focus on social isolation and loneliness.
Proposed Solution to the Problem: IPFCC’s team will build capacity for residents, families, leaders, and staff in four long-term care settings in geographically diverse locations; researchers; and other stakeholders to partner in planning for PCOR/CER by: (a) developing better understanding of social isolation and loneliness related to COVID-19; (b) modeling a program to build effective partnerships; and (c) activating a network of stakeholders to facilitate future collaboration for PCOR/CER.
Objectives:
• Develop partnerships among residents, families, staff in long-term care, researchers, and other stakeholders for planning and conducting PCOR/CER
• Prioritize root causes of social isolation and loneliness during COVID-19 with residents and families
• Develop topics, themes, and interventions for future PCOR/CER
• Engage stakeholders in dissemination of project findings
Activities:
• Create a national advisory committee to provide leadership and input on project milestones and deliverables
• Conduct virtual small-group conversations with residents and families to develop better understanding of root causes of social isolation and loneliness
• Identify priorities appropriate for PCOR/CER by reviewing topics, themes, and interventions based on resident and family concerns and priorities
• Develop resources to inform future PCOR/CER and facilitate engagement of residents and families in planning for research
• Hold stakeholder summit and disseminate project findings and resources
Projected Outcomes: Project outcomes will contribute to research designed to alleviate harm to mental health and well-being due to isolation and loneliness.
Short term
• A committed, active national advisory committee
• Summary of resident- and family-identified root causes of social isolation and loneliness obtained through small-group conversations
• Development of topics, themes, and interventions for PCOR/CER
• Guidance for engaging long-term care communities in planning for PCOR/CER
• Alliances among stakeholders to assure future PCOR/CER
Medium term (post-award)
• One or more studies funded
• Additional relationships established among long-term care stakeholders
• IPFCC focuses on long-term care engagement as a priority
Long term (post-award)
• Consortium of stakeholders participating in PCOR/CER
• Additional proposals funded; others in development
Patient and Stakeholder Engagement Plan: Each long-term care community will recruit three to four residents and family members. They will participate in small-group conversations to identify root causes of isolation and loneliness. Staff will assist with logistics and provide support. Selected residents and family members will review project plans and protocols. They will participate in a virtual meeting to review and prioritize topics, themes, and interventions related to social isolation and loneliness for PCOR/CER. They will also co-present with researchers and IPFCC staff at the final virtual stakeholder summit.
Project Collaborators: Leaders, staff, residents, and families from long-term care communities, researchers, and national long-term care advocacy organizations will collaborate with IPFCC.