Community Engagement Matters for Care Facility Residents

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For many, the phrase “nursing home” or “supportive living facility” evokes images of a place separate from their community and the rest of the world – a space where older adults live out their days in relative isolation. However, recent research, published in the Canadian Geriatrics Journal, highlights an important reality: when residents of continuing care homes (CCH) engage with their communities, their quality of life, well-being, and overall satisfaction improve dramatically.

The study, conducted in Alberta, sheds light on the types of activities that help integrate residents into the community. The study surveyed 334 long-term care and supportive living facilities, with 116 responses providing insight into the activities available. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the most common community engagement activities included spiritual gatherings (96.5%) and volunteer programs (93.0%). Unfortunately, the pandemic disrupted many of these activities, and even now, some have not resumed.

Despite these setbacks, the study identified four key factors that influence community integration: resident quality of life, a facility’s capacity and openness to engagement, sources of external support, and intentional planning and programming. These findings underscore the need for long-term care facilities to prioritize community engagement as an essential part of their residents’ experience. When possible, families could use these factors as a way to understand which facility might be best for their loved ones.

The Importance of Community Integration

Older adults in residential care still desire purpose, connection, and belonging. Finding new friends and activities within the facility is important, but of equal importance is the ability to find a world outside of the facility walls. Participation in community activities provides these elements by allowing residents to interact with people of all ages, engage in meaningful pursuits and maintain a sense of identity beyond their care facility.

Here are some ways community involvement benefits facility residents:

1. Improved Mental and Emotional Well-Being

Isolation can lead to depression, anxiety and cognitive decline. Community involvement combats loneliness by fostering social interaction, stimulating conversations and reinforcing residents’ roles in society.

2. Physical Health Benefits

Activities that encourage movement, such as gardening clubs, walking groups or volunteer-led exercise programs, contribute to residents’ physical health. Engaging with others also reduces stress, which can lower blood pressure and support overall wellness.

3. Cognitive Engagement

Intergenerational activities, such as children visiting residents or student mentorship programs, offer cognitive stimulation. These interactions provide fresh perspectives and encourage memory recall, storytelling and lifelong learning.

4. Sense of Purpose and Identity

Many older adults struggle with the feeling of “being forgotten.” Volunteering opportunities, mentorship roles, or even participating in community discussions allow them to continue contributing to society in meaningful ways.

How Facilities Can Foster Community Integration

The study highlights that a facility’s willingness to engage with the community plays a significant role in whether residents have access to these opportunities. Here are some ways that care facilities can enhance their community connections:

• Re-establish spiritual and volunteer programs disrupted by the pandemic.
• Partner with local schools, libraries and community centers to facilitate intergenerational engagement.
• Encourage resident-led initiatives where they can mentor, teach or share their expertise with younger generations.
• Facilitate virtual or in-person events that bring in guest speakers, performers or local organizations.

A Call to Action

Community engagement enriches the lives of residents in so many ways. Important to note is that many facilities are built on less expensive land which can be a distance from the closest town or city. This makes access somewhat more challenging however, the walls of a care facility should never be barriers to a fulfilling life.

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