Prospectus for Mitigating Loneliness During Quarantine for Older Adults in Long Term Care Facilities

In 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in quarantine safety measures and facility closures, facilities that cared for older adults in particular were hit the hardest. Long term care facilities (LTCFs), specifically those that care for older adults with memory care problems, must find ways to provide high-quality, standard care, despite many regulations and changes. Although infection control is an important aspect of care among this population, we must also consider how we can maintain quality of life and social connection. Loneliness is defined as the subjective feeling of being alone or perceived isolation. It can also relate to the discrepancies between ideal and perceived social relationships (Perissinotto, Holt-Lunstad, Periyakoil & Covinsky, 2019). Mitigating loneliness and advocating for the psychological and emotional safety for this population are essential to maintaining quality of life and social connection. Discussion with older adults living it LTCFs, as well as the community, revealed the experience of loneliness was felt universally in this population. In order to prevent loneliness in the LTCF, it is important caregivers and loved ones of residents understand the physical and emotional impact of loneliness and how to identify an older adult experiencing loneliness. For example, loneliness can be identified and tracked through the Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale. In addition, it is important to provide education on different therapeutic communication styles and coping mechanisms to help better understand the experience of the older adult and advocate for their emotional safety