Virtual quizzes involving several care homes are feasible and might reduce loneliness and social isolation

Author(s)

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH RESEARCH

Publisher(s):

National Institute for Health Research

Publication year:

2021

Summarises findings of a study that trialled connecting care homes virtually via quiz sessions. Simple low-cost video technology allowed residents in different care homes to enjoy taking part in virtual quizzes. Twenty-two care home residents, from three homes, volunteered to take part. Residents with dementia, signs of cognitive decline, and hearing or visual impairments were included. Some residents were non-verbal, or had limited mobility, and some had no prior experience of video calls. Afterwards, staff and residents provided feedback on the benefits and feasibility of the sessions. Four themes emerged from interviews with staff and residents: residents with moderate-advanced dementia remembered faces and conversations but could not recall having seen the technology before – they expressed happiness when remembering conversations with people ‘outside’ of their care home, and answering questions in a ‘game’; residents felt more connected with others – within the same care home, residents learnt more about each other’s backgrounds and interests and across care homes they enjoyed comparing features of their environments; residents re-gained a sense of self by sharing their stories and remembering their pasts with people of a similar age; the virtual quizzes provided relief from loneliness or boredom. Most residents said the video calls helped them to ‘pass the time’ and gave them ‘something to do’. Residents said the quizzes encouraged them to get to know others within the same home more than passive activities, such as watching TV. Across care homes, residents were surprised that there were so many people with similar interests or professions, or who had grown up in the same area as they had. (Edited publisher abstract)