Continuing Education Sessions

Session 50 | The Java Project: Addressing Loneliness in Long Term Care

Day: Wednesday, July 26
Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Type/Topic: Clinical/Person-Centered Care Practices

Session Summary

Loneliness is affecting a majority of residents in long term care. Residents themselves represent a largely untapped resource to address these issues. The Java Project is a research-based innovative approach using resident peer support groups and mentoring that has demonstrated decreases in loneliness by 15%, depression by 30% and increases in resident engagement by 60%. Presenters will provide results to date, including successes and lessons learned.

Presenters

Bonnie Lawrence, BSN-RN-BC, CDP

VP Quality of Life | Synergy Healthcare Services

About the Presenter

Bonnie Lawrence, BSN-RN-BC, CDP is a Registered Nurse with over 30 years experience in long term care. Bonnie believes in the mind-body connection and how the psychosocial aspects of care impact physical healing. She believes strongly in the psychosocial impact of peer support and how it builds a sense of community within the center and is helpful in reducing the need for psychotropic medications.

Kristine Theurer, PhD

President | Java Group Programs

About the Presenter

Dr. Kristine Theurer has pioneered the use of standardized peer support and mentoring to address loneliness and social isolation among older adults in senior living. She is co-author of The Need for a Social Revolution in Residential Care in the Journal of Aging Studies. Dr. Theurer has received numerous research awards including the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. She serves on the planning committee for the Canadian national conference on culture change.