Connecting Today to Combat Social Isolation and Loneliness

Resident quality of life will be measured with the Dementia Quality of Life Instrument (DEMQOL- proxy) total score (completed by a family/friend who knows the person living with dementia well). A sum of 31 items (rated on a 4-point scale) generates the total score, where 31 is the worst possible quality of life and 124 is the best possible quality of life. Items relate to how the person living with dementia feels about their daily activities, health and well-being, cognitive functioning, social relationships, and self-concept.

The Dementia Quality of Life - Care Home instrument (DEMQOL-CH) is a quality of life assessment tool for people living with dementia that is completed by care home staff (i.e. research nurse). There are 31 items rated on a 4-point scale (total score 31-124), where 31 is the worst possible quality of life and 124 is the best possible quality of life.

Resident quality of life will be measured using the Quality of Life - Aged Care Consumers (QOL-ACC-proxy). It is completed by someone who knows the resident well (in this study both a family/friend proxy and research nurse will complete the measure), and includes questions on health-related and psychosocial aspects of quality of life. There are 6 questions that are answered on a 5 point scale. Total scores range from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

Resident global quality of life will be measured with a single item from the Dementia Quality of Life Instrument (DEMQOL- proxy) completed by a family/friend who knows the person living with dementia well. The single item rates quality of life overall, and is rated on a 4-point scale (total score 1-4), where higher scores indicate higher quality of life.

Resident global quality of life will be measured with a single item from the Dementia Quality of Life - Care Home Instrument (DEMQOL- CH) completed by care home staff (i.e. research nurse) who knows the person living with dementia well. The single item rates quality of life overall and is rated on a 4-point scale (total score 1-4), where higher scores indicate higher quality of life.

Resident loneliness will be measured with three items from the Dementia Quality of Life Instrument (DEMQOL- proxy) (completed by a family/friend who knows the person living with dementia well). These include worries about: (1) getting in touch with people; (2) not having enough company; (3) not being able to help other people. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (total score 1-4), with higher scores indicating less loneliness. Each will be analyzed as single items.

Resident loneliness will be measured with three items from the Dementia Quality of Life - Care Home Instrument (DEMQOL- CH) completed by care home staff (i.e. research nurse) who knows the person living with dementia well. These include worries about: (1) getting in touch with people; (2) not having enough company; (3) not being able to help other people. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (total score 1-4), with higher scores indicating less loneliness. Each will be analyzed as single items.

Change in resident loneliness will be measured by the Social Connection In Long-Term Care Home Residents (SONNET) Scale-proxy, completed by a research nurse. This scale measures overall social connection of residents, as well as their social engagement and social connectedness. There are 12 questions rated on a 4 point scale (total score 0-36), with higher scores indicating higher social connection.

Resident responsive behaviours will be measured using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory - short form, and will be completed by a research nurse. This measures the occurrence of 14 resident behaviours in the last 2 weeks (5-point scales). Three factors are calculated (aggressive behavior, physically non-aggressive behavior, and verbally agitated behavior). Scores range from 14 to 70 with higher scores indicating more frequent agitated behaviors.

Remote visitor loneliness will be measured using the 3-item Loneliness Scale total score, which is self-reported. Perceptions of companionship are assessed with three items (3-point scale). Scores range from 3 to 9 (higher scores indicate more loneliness).

Remote visitor social support will be measured using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) total score. The MSPSS is comprised of a total of 12 items (on 7 point scales), with 4 items for each subscale (reflecting social support from significant others, family, and friends). The total score is an average, calculated by summing all items (which could range from 12 to 84) and dividing by 12 (higher scores indicate more social support).

Remote visitor quality of life will be measured by the Quality of Life Scale (QOLS). This scale includes 16 items (scored on a 7 point scale), with possible scores ranging from 16-112. Higher scores indicate higher quality of life.

Remote visitor quality of life will be measured by the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). This will be self-reported, and includes 5 questions on 7 point scales (total score 5-35). Higher scores indicated higher life satisfaction.

Remote visitor quality of life will be measured by a single item from the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL- BREF). This will be self-reported, and includes responding on a 5 point scale (total score 1-5). The higher the score, the higher the quality of life.