'It makes life worthwhile!' Peer mentoring in long-term care-a feasibility study

• Published in: Aging & mental health Vol. 25; no. 10; pp. 1887 - 1896
• Main Authors: Theurer, Kristine A., Stone, Robyn I., Suto, Melinda J., Timonen, Virpi, Brown, Susan G., Mortenson, W. Ben
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Routledge 03.10.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acceptability; Belonging; Community volunteers; Data collection; depression; Feasibility; Feasibility studies; Life; Loneliness; Long term health care; Long-term care; Mental depression; Mentoring; Mentors; Nursing homes; peer support; Program implementation; Purpose in life; Residential care; Residents; Retention; Social identity; social isolation; Teams; volunteer; Volunteers; Loneliness; social isolation; volunteer; depression; peer support
• ISSN: 1360-7863; 1364-6915
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2020.1849023

Objectives: Loneliness and depression are of increasing concern in long-term care homes made more urgent by viral outbreak isolation protocols. An innovative program called Java Mentorship was developed that engaged community volunteers and resident volunteers (mentors) as a team. The team met weekly, received education, and provided visits and guidance in pairs to socially disengaged residents (mentees). The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of conducting a larger study. Method: We conducted a mixed-methods pre-post study to evaluate the program. We collected feasibility data associated with the program implementation, including assessment of the sample and ability to recruit; procedures for data collection; retention, program adherence and acceptability; and residents' responses including loneliness, depression, purpose in life, social identity and sense of belonging outcomes. We enrolled community mentors (n = 65), resident mentors (n = 48) staff facilitators (n = 24) and mentees (n = 74) in 10 Canadian sites. Results: Most feasibility objectives were met, and adherence and acceptability were high. Some resource challenges and low retention rates among resident mentors were noted. We found a 29% reduction in depression scores (p = .048; d = .30) and 15% reduction in loneliness scores (p = .014; d = .23). Purpose in life, social identity and sense of belonging were unchanged. Interviews among participants indicated high acceptability and positive perceptions of the program. Conclusion: The study findings reveal a potential role for mentorship as a viable approach to reducing loneliness and depression in long-term care settings and lay the groundwork for future research.