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Session 50 | The Java Project: Addressing Loneliness in Long Term Care
Time: 8:00 to 9:30 a.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.