Previously submitted to: JMIR Human Factors (no longer under consideration since Jun 24, 2026)
Date Submitted: Jan 18, 2025
Social isolation and loneliness in linguistic minority older adults residing in Long-term care homes: a qualitative study of families’ experiences and perceptions during the COVID-19 waves in Quebec and New Brunswick
Background:
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the lives of older adults in long-term care facilities. Families have played a notable role during the long-lasting COVID-19 pandemic in reducing their social isolation and loneliness. This study focused on older linguistic minority adults residing in long-term care facilities.
Objective:
Objective: The study explores and describes the SIL experiences and perceptions of family members of older adults residing in four long-term care homes from two Canadian provinces during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods:
Methods: The study used a qualitative, exploratory design. From June 2021 to February 2022, eleven family members of four long-term care homes completed one-on-one semi-structured interviews. Telephone was utilized to conduct the interviews during the outbreak period, and face-to-face, when possible, with the permission of the long-term care homes.
Results:
Results: Using qualitative thematic analysis, four themes emerged: (i) perception of long-term care homes functioning, (ii) portrait of SIL among residents, (iii) relationships with loved ones, and (iv) strategies developed to address SIL. Most family members (8/11) experienced social isolation and loneliness in their older adult. They kept in touch with them using technological tools (e.g., video chatting) when face-to-face visits were impossible.
Conclusions:
Discussion: The study demonstrated the importance of families’ role in the inclusive culture of long-term care home services and the pandemic provided an opportunity to work with long-term care homes in maintaining residents' quality of life by addressing social isolation and loneliness.
Clinicaltrial:
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