Opportunities For Social Connection Research Articles

Social connection in long-term care homes: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators

BackgroundSocial connection is a basic human need and is essential to quality of life. It is associated with better mental and physical health outcomes for long-term care (LTC) home residents and is a key aspect of quality of care and person-centred care. There are considerations for LTC homes that may present obstacles to and opportunities for social connection. It is therefore important to understand what restricts or enables good social connection in LTC homes, to guide better quality care and future interventions in this population. This qualitative study aims to identify barriers and facilitators to social connection for LTC residents.MethodsWe used thematic analysis to describe themes derived from individual and group qualitative interviews from 67 participants (18 residents, 17 staff members and clinicians, 32 family members and friends) recruited from LTC homes in the United Kingdom and Canada.ResultsThemes were grouped into four categories: (1) becoming familiar with life in the LTC home to support social connection; (2) physical and virtual access beyond the LTC home as strategies to maintain contact; (3) getting to know residents to deepen relationships; (4) person-centred approaches to build social connection. ‘Becoming familiar with life in the LTC home to support social connection’ described the benefits of counteracting the institutionalized feel of LTC homes, enabling LTC residents to spend time in meaningful ways, and increasing freedom of mobility around the home. ‘Physical and virtual access beyond the LTC home as strategies to maintain contact’ related to the benefits of outings, providing support with technology, and involving family and friends in LTC home life. ‘Getting to know residents to deepen relationships’ related to the benefits of using routine care and interactions as opportunities for social contact, using family and friend knowledge as a resource, and fostering resident relationships. ‘Person-centred approaches to build social connection’ included considering physical, mental, cognitive, and sensory impairments, accounting for adjustment and sociability, using communal spaces well, and prioritizing psychosocial needs.ConclusionsThis study identifies barriers and facilitators to social connection for LTC residents which can be addressed in care policies, staff selection and training, and can inform policies and interventions to build and maintain social connection in LTC homes.Clinical trial numberclinicaltrials.gov ID NCT05315960.

Outcome Measures And Analysis Of Memory Movers- An Exercise Programme For The Brain, Body And Mind

Abstract Background Memory Movers is a six-week early intervention specialist programme designed for implementation in community settings to meet key healthcare needs for individuals experiencing memory difficulties/dementia and their family carers. This programme provides individuals with the knowledge, skills and education to care for their overall health and well-being. It supports mental health and well-being by utilising cognitive stimulation exercises in conjunction with physical health exercises and providing information and basic exercises in mental health. Methods The Specialist Mental Health Service for Older People collaborated with an Acute Hospital, local Council, and Sports and Wellbeing Partnership in designing a suitable, accessible programme to promote Mental Health and well-being in the community. The programme incorporates the following aspects of health: Memory, Movement, and Mental Health. Results Pre- and post-assessments were undertaken with results highlighting the following: The Life Satisfaction Scale improved by 6%; the Mood Rating Scale improved by 19% and the overall rating of experiencing feelings of anxiety was reduced by 14% within the final week. There was also a 101% increase in the average engagement in physical activity. A range of positive comments received from attendees were recorded on feedback questionnaires. Conclusion Findings highlighted that remaining active supports both physical and mental health. According to the HSE (2020), physical exercise can cause chemical changes in the brain, which can help improve mood. Cognitive stimulation is beneficial to brain health and cognition (Schulz 2015). These contribute to the overall well-being of individuals, promoting cognitive functioning and movement, as well as overall mental health and well-being. This programme also provides opportunities for social connection and integration with services.

Street redesign, active mobility and well-being for Pacific elders

ABSTRACT This qualitative study uses Talanoa methodologies to explore the everyday experiences of Pacific elders travelling around Māngere Central, Aotearoa New Zealand. A suite of street infrastructure changes for walking and cycling took place in the area between 2015 and 2017. While the evidence linking attributes of urban street design to physical activity behaviour is strong, there is little research on the impact of the built environment on Pacific elders’ active mobility. The study seeks to address this knowledge gap by focusing on the impacts of streetscape changes on the active travel and social connectivity of this group of residents. Findings indicate that post-intervention, elders feel significantly safer while walking, with active travel increasing for some. All elders in the study feel that important amenities are now more accessible, with some of significant cultural and social importance. As such, opportunities for social connection appear to have increased. Furthermore, the enhanced look and feel of the local environment is important to the elders interviewed, enhancing feelings of community pride and well-being for some. Further desired changes to support active mobility are discussed, and a logic model highlighting factors theorised to be particularly important for achieving mode shift among Pacific elders is proposed.

Opening Pandora’s box - key facilitators of practice change in detecting and responding to childhood adversity - a practitioner perspective

BackgroundChildhood adversities worsen physical and mental health across the lifespan. Health and social care practitioners play a key role in identifying and responding to childhood adversity, however, may be reluctant to do so due to a perceived lack of services to refer to, time pressures and a deficit of training and confidence. We aimed to (1) quantify changes in practitioner comfort and confidence to identify and respond to childhood adversity following a multimodal intervention within an integrated child and family health and social care hub and (2) to understand barriers and facilitators of practice change.MethodsHub practitioners were surveyed about their competence and comfort to directly ask about and confidence to respond to adversity at baseline and then at six and twelve months post training. Interviews were undertaken to explore practitioner barriers and enablers of practice change. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The theoretical domains framework was used to identify the key drivers of practice change.ResultsFifteen of 18 practitioners completed all three surveys and 70% reported increased competence and comfort to directly ask, and confidence to respond across a range of adversities over the 12-month intervention. Twenty-one practitioners completed interviews. Six themes were identified as either facilitators or barriers to practice change. Facilitator themes included (1) connection matters, (2) knowledge provides assurance, (3) confidence in ability and (4) choosing change. Barrier themes were (1) never enough time and (2) opening Pandora’s box. Following analysis, key drivers of practice change were ‘social influence’, ‘belief in capability’, ‘knowledge’ and ‘behaviour regulation’ while barriers to practice change were ‘environmental context and resources’ and ‘emotion’.ConclusionsPractitioners reported improved confidence in identifying and responding to adversity through a multimodal intervention delivered in an integrated Child and Family Hub. Changing practice requires more than just education and training. Opportunities for social connection and coaching to improve self-confidence and perceived competence are needed to overcome the fear of opening Pandora’s box.

Cultivating a culture of excellence: Synthesizing employee engagement initiatives for performance improvement in LNG production

Cultivating a culture of excellence is paramount for success in LNG production, and employee engagement plays a central role in achieving this goal. This abstract explores the synthesis of various employee engagement initiatives aimed at enhancing performance in LNG production facilities. Effective employee engagement initiatives are essential for fostering a culture of excellence within LNG production facilities. By empowering employees and promoting a sense of ownership and commitment, organizations can unlock the full potential of their workforce and drive continuous improvement in performance. This abstract examines a range of employee engagement strategies tailored specifically for the unique challenges and demands of LNG production. These initiatives encompass various aspects of employee engagement, including communication, training and development, recognition and rewards, and fostering a supportive work environment. Communication lies at the heart of effective employee engagement. Open and transparent communication channels facilitate the exchange of ideas, feedback, and information, fostering collaboration and alignment towards common goals. Additionally, regular communication helps employees feel valued and informed, enhancing their sense of belonging and commitment to the organization. Investing in training and development opportunities is another critical aspect of employee engagement in LNG production. By providing employees with the skills and knowledge they need to excel in their roles, organizations can empower them to contribute meaningfully to the success of the operation. Continuous learning opportunities also demonstrate a commitment to employee growth and development, which can boost morale and job satisfaction. Recognition and rewards programs play a crucial role in reinforcing desired behaviors and motivating employees to perform at their best. Whether through monetary incentives, public recognition, or other forms of acknowledgment, recognizing employee contributions fosters a culture of appreciation and reinforces the organization's values. Finally, creating a supportive work environment that prioritizes employee well-being and work-life balance is essential for sustaining high levels of engagement and performance. Providing resources such as wellness programs, flexible work arrangements, and opportunities for social connection helps employees feel supported and valued, leading to greater job satisfaction and commitment. In summary, cultivating a culture of excellence in LNG production requires a multifaceted approach to employee engagement. By implementing a range of initiatives focused on communication, training and development, recognition and rewards, and fostering a supportive work environment, organizations can empower their employees to thrive and drive continuous improvement in performance. Keywords: Cultivating, Culture of Excellence, Performance Improvement, LNG Production, Employing Engagement Initiatives.

Suffering Together: Photos and Stories of Nsukka Residents During Nigeria's 2023 Currency Redesign Crisis

The Central Bank of Nigeria's (CBN) attempt to redesign the 200, 500, and 1000 naira notes by December 2022 led to a cash crunch and humanitarian crisis, exposing the federal government's shortsightedness and inherent weakness. Amidst the crisis that peaked between late January and February 2023, opportunities for social connections and shared experiences emerged. In this essay and visual archive, I explore the financial crisis phenomenon in Nsukka metropolis, Southeastern Nigeria, from a historical perspective, integrating personal insights, respondents' views, and archival sources. Analysis of observational notes, visual and textual data through the lens of Critical Theory reveals the importance of social connection and cultural ideology among Nsukka residents during a difficult time in Nigerian history. Photographic images of crowded bank scenes and remarks like "You are not the only person" evoke personal and public misery and frustration during the currency redesign crisis. The argument is that those in power can create complex situations like artificial scarcity of valuable commodities for questionable reasons, while the masses bear the brunt and enact and demonstrate servility in the process.

Students’ transition experiences: positioning FYE interventions in a student transition model

The transition from high school to university can be a challenging and overwhelming experience for many students. As such, it is imperative for higher education institutions to implement effective interventions to support students during this critical period. This article examines the positioning of First-Year Experience (FYE) interventions within a student transition model. The study was conducted by reviewing existing studies, articles, and books related to FYE interventions and their impact on students' transition experiences. The researchers utilised various academic databases, such as EBSCO, JSTOR, and Google Scholar to gather relevant literature on the topic. The methodology used in this study involved systematically searching for and critically evaluating existing literature on FYE interventions and their role in students' transition experiences. The researchers then synthesized and analyzed the findings from the selected literature to identify trends and gaps in the existing research. Through a review of existing literature, this article explores the various factors that influence students’ transition experiences, the role of FYE interventions, and recommendations for future research and practice. The findings of this research indicate that students’ transition experiences are multifaceted, encompassing academic, social, and personal adjustments. Academic stress, social integration, and identity development are identified as key challenges, faced by students during their transition to university life. The role of FYE interventions in addressing these challenges is perceived to be crucial, highlighting the importance of academic support, mentorship, and opportunities for social connection, provided by these programs. The implications of this research suggest the need for a holistic student transition model that encompasses academic, social, and personal dimensions of the transition experience. FYE interventions are positioned within this model as a key component in supporting students through their transition to university life. The findings also emphasize the importance of tailoring FYE programs to meet the diverse needs of students, taking into account factors, such as cultural background, socioeconomic status, and individual learning styles. In conclusion, this research contributes to the understanding of students’ transition experiences and the positioning of FYE interventions within a comprehensive student transition model. It highlights the diverse challenges, faced by students during their transition to university, and underscores the importance of tailoring FYE programs to meet these challenges. The findings of this research have implications for the design and implementation of effective FYE interventions, emphasizing the need for a holistic approach that addresses the academic, social, and personal dimensions of students’ transition experiences.

Social infrastructure, community organizations, and friendship formation: a scoping review

Abstract Community organizations are a unique part of the local social infrastructure that provides opportunities for social connections and community building. This contribution has been established in research on social capital and the research on social networks. Little research has looked specifically at the processes that lead to forming new relationships within community organizations. In this paper, we address this gap by looking specifically at the situational dynamics at community organizations that contribute to making new friends. We approach this question by conducting a scoping review, a systematic approach to research search and selection when conducting reviews. Our review identified 37 relevant pieces of research. The majority of the research we identify comes from Australia, Canada, the UK, and the USA. We discuss three themes addressing situational dynamics that emerged in the analysis: (1) the importance of structured programs and activities as prompts for connection, (2) creating spaces for informal interactions, and (3) emerging mutuality based on similarities and differences. We conclude with suggestions for how community organizations purposefully create these situational dynamics in their work.

Personalized Tablets for Residents in Long-Term Care to Support Recreation and Mitigate Isolation

ObjectivesThere is a digital divide in long-term care homes (LTCHs), with few residents having regular access to internet-connected devices. In this study, we provided long-term care residents with personalized and adapted tablets. We aimed to understand what factors influenced tablet use and the impact of tablet access on opportunities for social connection and recreation. DesignA pragmatic, mixed-methods multicenter, open-label, uncontrolled interventional study with assessment of outcomes at baseline and 3 months. Setting and ParticipantsA total of 58 resident-care partner dyads were recruited across 7 LTCHs in Ontario, Canada. The main inclusion criterion was having a care partner willing to participate, and we excluded residents who already had an internet-connected device. MethodsResident demographics, functional status assessments, and recreational engagement were captured using items from the Resident Assessment Instrument/Minimum Data Set. Care partners completed a questionnaire about relational closeness and site leads assessed resident quality of life before and approximately 3 months after tablet distribution. Interviews with 23 care partners and 7 residents post-implementation were completed and analyzed. ResultsThe median tablet use by participants was 7 minutes (interquartile range 27) per day on average over the study period. Predictors of higher tablet use were younger age, higher cognitive functioning, absence of hearing impairment, and having a care partner who lives farther away. There was no improvement on quantitative measures of quality of life, recreation, or relational closeness. In interviews, participants identified many different opportunities afforded by access to personalized tablets. Conclusions and ImplicationsSome LTCH residents without current access to the internet benefit from being provided a personal tablet and use it in a variety of ways to enrich their lives. There is a critical need to bridge the digital divide for this population.

Examining learners' engagement patterns and knowledge outcome in an experiential learning intervention for youth's social media literacy

Social media has become an integral part of youth's daily lives. Though it brings many benefits such as creative self-expression and opportunities for social connection and support, studies have revealed that exposure to cyberbullying, misinformation and disinformation, or phishing and scams pose great risks to youth's mental health and long-term development. There is no lack of education programs designed to teach youth media literacy, but very few offer experiential learning environments to support youth's development of social media literacy. Youth learners' engagement patterns and learning outcomes in such environments remain unknown. This study seeks to fill in this gap by examining how learners' engagement patterns predict learning outcomes (social media literacy) in a simulated environment that embodies the core components of experiential learning. Two types of data were collected from: 1) n = 150 youth participants in a controlled environment (“data from the classroom”), and 2) n = 3552 participants on the internet (“data in the wild”). The findings revealed learners' engagement patterns (e.g., time spent, completion rate of actions etc.) in different phases of experiential learning, and highlighted the importance of active participation (taking recommended actions instead of passively viewing the course content) in predicting better learning outcomes. This study contributes to understanding the relationship between learners' engagement patterns in experiential learning environments and their knowledge outcomes in social media literacy, and offers practical implications for the improvement of instructional design to enhance experiential learning.

Implementation of Virtual, Livestream Yoga Classes for Veterans at Home During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Mixed-Methods Pilot Program Evaluation.

The COVID-19 pandemic and shut down of in-person complementary and integrative (CIH) wellness services at the San Francisco Veterans' Affairs Healthcare System (SFVAHCS) required implementation of virtual program delivery. In May 2020, VA in-person group yoga classes pivoted to virtual classes for existing attendees. In October 2020, we partnered with SFVAHCS Integrative Health and the VA Office of Rural Health to formalize the TeleYoga Program to expand yoga access to Veterans in SFVAHCS' geographically dispersed area. This pilot study evaluated Veterans' experiences and self-reported health outcomes after participating in at-home tele-yoga groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The RE-AIM framework guided program delivery evaluation. Reach was assessed with medical record data. Adoption was assessed by the number of new facilities providing referrals to tele-yoga. Implementation, satisfaction, and patient-reported outcomes, were evaluated through structured interviews with Likert scale and open-ended responses. We offered 4-6 weekly livestreamed classes between October 2020-September 2021. The program reached 70 Veterans, including 40 new participants, with 1208 total unique encounters. Referrals increased from 2 to 6 SFVAHCS facilities. Fourteen participants completed structured interviews. Over half rated highly the convenience and overall experience of tele-yoga classes and reported improvement with pain, stress management, exercise, and flexibility. Open-ended responses indicated opportunities for social connection, maintaining mental health, cultivating resilience, improving function, and managing pain. Suggestions for improvement focused on technological aspects, including audiovisual quality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, we successfully transitioned and expanded virtual group yoga delivery to Veterans from all geographic locations within SFVAHCS. We attribute this success to existing infrastructure for telehealth and CIH services and a virtual program orientation for new participants. The results of this pilot study suggest in-person group yoga may be successfully implemented virtually, serving as a viable modality that contributes to holistic wellbeing for Veterans.

CAREGIVER CHALLENGES: SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR DEMENTIA CARE OF OLDER ADULTS DURING HOSPICE ENROLLMENT

Abstract Every year, many ADRD patients rely on informal caregivers for providing care during hospice enrollment. Driven by dedication, these caregivers play a vital role. However, their responsibilities intensify over time, leading to emotional strain. Inadequate support causes burnout and stress. Limited research targets the unique needs of caregivers of ADRD patients enrolled in hospice. The purpose of this study was to describe the caregivers’ experiences regarding social support while providing care for older adults with ADRD in hospice. A qualitative descriptive approach was taken with semi-structured interviews of 20 caregivers of ADRD hospice patients (85% female; mean age [SD]: 63.75 [12.1]), including both Caucasian (70%) and African American (30%) individuals. Through content analysis, we identified three themes that described caregivers’ experiences with social support: 1) Changes in social life (e.g., homebound, stress, and family conflicts), 2) Opportunities for social connection (e.g., social support systems with family, friends), 3) Communication Modalities. These findings offer crucial insights into the diverse range of experiences caregivers face regarding social support. Additionally, it highlights the significance of caregivers needing assistance to sustain connections, take essential breaks, and adapt to shifts in their social environments. The challenges they confront and the positive elements of the support they receive are brought to light through this study. Further research into effective communication modalities and respite services could significantly enhance caregivers’ support.

Structured encounters and immigrant experiences of integration in Sweden

ABSTRACT The present paper investigates immigrants’ perceptions of the integration process, centering their perceptions of organizations and the built environment. To do so, we use the concepts formal structured encounters, or planned organizational activities intended to foster access to social connections and integration facilitators, and informal structured encounters, or unplanned, organic social connections and access to facilitators fostered by the physical arrangement of space. Drawing from in-depth interviews and ethnographic data gathered at two Swedish research sites, we examine how immigrants who participated in formal and informal structured encounters perceive these encounters affecting their integration experiences. We then compare how immigrants who have and have not participated in formal and informal structured encounters perceive the integration process overall. We find that immigrants who participated in formal structured encounters were able to access language and cultural learning as well as opportunities for social connections. Informal structured encounters rarely occurred. We also find that those who participated and did not participate in formal structured encounters perceived and experienced the integration process similarly: as never-ending and burdensome, with processual challenges and discrimination functioning as formidable hurdles. We conclude the paper by discussing the implications of our findings for future research and immigration policy.

What is the effect of intergenerational activities on the wellbeing and mental health of older people?: A systematic review.

Opportunities for social connection between generations have diminished over the last few decades around the world as a result of changes in the way that we live and work. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated loneliness for many with young and old being kept apart for safety. The Public Health England prevention concordat for better mental health (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities) aims to bring a prevention-focused approach to improving public mental health. The concordat promotes evidence-based planning and commissioning to increase the impact on reducing health inequalities using sustainable and cost-effective interventions that impact on the wider determinants of mental health and wellbeing for children and young people and older people. Intergenerational activities could provide an opportunity to support both populations. In 2023, we produced an evidence and gap map to illustrate the amount and variety of research on intergenerational interventions and the gaps in research that still exist in this area. The review conducted here is based on the evidence in that map. This systematic review examines the impact of intergenerational interventions on the wellbeing and mental health of older people and identifies areas for future research as well as key messages for service commissioners. We searched an evidence and gap map published in 2022 (comprehensive searches conducted July 2021 and updated June 2023) to identify randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that report mental health and wellbeing outcomes for older people. Randomised controlled trials of intergenerational interventions that involved unrelated younger and older people with at least one skipped generation between them and reported mental health or wellbeing outcomes for older people were included in this review. We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Campbell Collaboration. We conducted data extraction and Cochrane risk of bias assessments in EPPI reviewer. Where data allowed meta-analyses were conducted in STATA. This review includes 14 trials from six different countries. The trials had some important methodological weaknesses. Interventions were mainly delivered in-person and often in groups. They included visiting programmes, school volunteering programmes, music-based interventions and task-oriented interventions such as activities set in a multigenerational park, reminiscing activities, aggression management programmes, learning a language, making local environmental changes and in-school project work. Intergenerational interventions showed a small positive trend towards improving self-esteem (effect size [ES]: 0.33, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.35, 1.01) and depression (ES: 0.19, 95% CI: -0.23, 0.60) for older people participating. However, due to the small study sizes and low number of studies available, we cannot be confident about any effects. The results for other mental health and wellbeing outcomes are reported but due to little overlap in similar assessments across the studies, we could not combine them to assess the strength of evidence. There were no data about social isolation, spiritual health or sense of community. There are no long-term studies and no data on equity. We still know very little about what works and how or why. Whilst some interventions do use theories and logic to inform their development others do not. More exploration of this is needed. Commissioners and intervention developers should ensure interventions provide sufficient theoretical evidence for the logic behind the proposed intervention and should improve their consideration of equity within the interventions Research on intergenerational interventions need more consistent and agreed measures for reporting outcomes including community outcomes (core outcome sets). More understanding is needed on how best to measure 'community' outcomes. Research on intergenerational interventions should measure outcomes for BOTH the older and younger population engaged in the intervention-these may or may not be the same outcomes reflected in both populations. Further research is needed on the long-term impact of interventions on outcomes (whether participants need to keep being involved in an 'intervention' to continue to benefit) and sustainability of interventions beyond the initial funding of the research project. Supporting this our stakeholders highlighted that interventions that are initiated for research and then end (usually within a year) are not helpful.

Work of HeArt: Addressing Educator Compassion Fatigue with Art Therapy

ABSTRACT Kindergarten through 12th grade (K-12) educators across the country are experiencing compassion fatigue from extended amounts of time with children reporting adverse childhood experiences. Additional stress from teaching through the COVID-19 pandemic has also led to burnout in United States’ educators, compounding the effects of both phenomena. An impending educator shortage may occur if the mental health of educators is not addressed. A series of mindfulness-based art therapy workshops designed to address compassion fatigue were implemented at an elementary school in a large Midwestern city. Thirty-four kindergarten and first-grade educators participated in eight monthly workshops over the course of one academic year. Workshops were designed based on a needs assessment completed by the educators. Results of the post-workshop questionnaire suggested that mindfulness-based art therapy was beneficial in addressing compassion fatigue. Five overarching themes about the program were identified from the questionnaires. Participants indicated that 1) allowing space for creativity, 2) learning creative ways to manage stress, 3) having opportunities for social connections, 4) discovering useful tools to express themselves, and 5) having dedicated time for themselves were all benefits reaped from the workshops. Participants overwhelmingly (93%) agreed that the workshops helped address compassion fatigue.

Engaging Nigerian Older Persons in Neighborhood Environment Assessment for Physical Activity Participation: A Citizen Science Project.

Global organizations are advocating that older persons' voices should guide communities in age-friendly design. An important aspect of age friendliness to enable daily function and health is ensuring that physical activity can occur, regardless of age, within local neighborhoods. This study used a specific citizen science approach, Our Voice, to engage a sample (N = 13) of older adults (60 or older) in Festac Town, Nigeria. The citizen scientists' roles were to assess and identify how different aspects of the neighborhood environment act as supports or barriers to their physical activity participation. They were individually enabled using a tablet-based mobile application called the Stanford Healthy Neighborhood Discovery Tool to record a total of 156 geocoded photos and 151 commentaries of neighborhood environmental features that facilitate or hinder physical activity in and around their neighborhoods. In a guided process, the following occurred: collaborative discussions of findings with other citizen scientists to determine common targets, setting of priority targets for change, and brainstorming strategies and solutions. Facilitators of physical activity included: pedestrian and traffic facilities (e.g., traffic lights, walkways); green areas and parks; multigenerational community features (e.g., programs/facilities); opportunities for social connection (e.g., neighborhood associations, churches); safety of destinations and services; and public toilets. Barriers to physical activity included: hazardous walkways/traffic; noise pollution; refuse, selling of public parks; crime (e.g., kidnapping, criminal hideouts); no safe drinking water; and ageism. The priorities for changes were social connectivity; improved pedestrian and traffic facilities; and green and beautiful environments. In this study, both physical and social aspects of the environment were deemed important for older Nigerians to enable physical activity in their local community. This approach has a promise for age-friendly initiatives seeking local changes by meaningfully engaging older adults.

Non-familial intergenerational interventions and their impact on social and mental wellbeing of both younger and older people-A mapping review and evidence and gap map.

Non-familial intergenerational interventions and their impact on social and mental wellbeing of both younger and older people-A mapping review and evidence and gap map.

The Health and Well-being Impacts of Community Shared Meal Programs for Older Populations: A Scoping Review.

There are social and economic benefits to supporting individuals to live independently for as long as possible. Structured shared meal programs provide opportunities for older individuals to connect in their communities and likely impact their health and well-being. Research in this area has not been summarized in recent years. This scoping review was undertaken to explore the impact shared meal programs may have for older community-dwelling adults. Nine databases were systematically searched in 2020, and 5,996 unique studies were identified. Two independent reviewers screened titles, abstracts, and full text for inclusion. Reference lists of included papers were hand searched, and the search was updated in 2021. Eighteen studies were included in the final review. Studies were published between 1980 and 2021 and most were published in the United States. Most studies were cross-sectional, two adopted a qualitative design, one a cohort design. Significant associations were reported between shared meal programs and improved dietary intake; however, minimal improvements were reported for physical health measures. The programs had a positive impact on attendees' social networks and perceived well-being. Structured shared meal programs show promise in supporting the health and well-being of older adults in the community. They provide additional nutrition, opportunities for social connection, and are perceived to contribute to perceived well-being. More investigation is required to understand how these programs work to facilitate health and well-being, and how they can best be used to improve health outcomes for older populations.

Characterizations of Resilience in Poststroke Aphasia

The definitions and features ofresilience, the process and outcome of successfully responding to adversity, are variable across the disability and rehabilitation literatures, and its influence on aphasia treatment and outcomes is as of yet unknown. This scoping review identified and thematically categorized characterizations and descriptions of resilience and the similarly used termsadaptation,adjustment, andcopingin the aphasia research literature. Frequently noted features of resilience included internal/cognitive emotional responses, such as positive self-concept, attitude/outlook, and psychological function, as well as external/behavioral responses, such as engaging in new activities and opportunities for social connection. These general features align with a definition of resilience recently developed for individuals with chronic impairment. And, although little information about the influence of resilience on treatment engagement and outcomes emerged from the reviewed literature, a number of clinical considerations and research directions are suggested.

Including the majority: Examining the local social interactions of renters in four case study condominiums in Sydney

ABSTRACT Although an ever-increasing number of social interactions are taking place virtually, people’s relationships with their neighbors remain important. Apartment residents make up a growing proportion of the population in cities worldwide, but there is evidence that many find it challenging to form and maintain local social connections, especially those renting their home. This can negatively impact physical and mental health, and have implications for the management of apartment complexes and local area social sustainability. In this paper, we draw on interviews (n = 41) with renters of four large case study condominium complexes in Sydney, Australia, to investigate their local social interactions. The findings reveal that while many renters desire greater local connection, their opportunities and motivations are limited by factors relating to mobility, tenure security, prejudice, and exclusion from building-related governance. The paper concludes by considering the scope for interventions in design, management and governance to enhance opportunities for social connection.