Social connectedness in long-term care settings: A concept analysis.

BACKGROUND

Social connectedness is associated with improved health outcomes, yet long-term care residents are separated from loved ones and vulnerable to social isolation. This paper presents a concept analysis of social connectedness in long-term care.

METHODS

Utilizing the Walker and Avant method, PsycINFO and CINAHL databases were searched. In total, 22 studies were examined that emphasized the critical nature of social connectedness to health in long-term care.

FINDINGS: The attributes of social connectedness identified were social support, social identity, and reciprocity. A new definition of social connectedness in long-term care settings emerged as the experience of feeling socially supported, personally valued, and integrated into the long-term care community through reciprocal and varied relationships, fostering a social identity that thrives.

CONCLUSIONS

This growing and vulnerable population emphasized the urgent need to conceptualize and operationalize social connectedness as a core component of care in long-term care settings. Such efforts may inform the development of interventions and policy initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes in this population. The core concepts of this new definition may serve as a framework for developing targeted interventions and improve care in long-term care settings, while also informing future research on social connectedness.