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SONNET study

The SONNET study aims to improve the measurement of social connection in care home residents.

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Social Connection in Long Term Care Home Residents (SONNET) study

Social connection is fundamental to person-centred care in long-term care homes. It is important for physical and mental health, quality of life and care in care home residents. However, our review of 60 previous research studies found that, currently, no instruments accurately and reliably measure social connection in care home residents. We are therefore developing a new measure of social connection for use in care homes, as good measurement is crucial in supporting research evidence and contributing to improvements in policy and practice. We are testing our new measure in a large study in the UK and Canada.

Full information about the wider SONNET study is available on our website: https://www.sonnetstudy.com/

 

Who can participate?

We want to speak to around 100 people living in care homes and a member of the care home staff to give additional information about them.

We are currently recruiting from care homes in the following sites for our study between July 2023 and May 2024:

  • Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust
  • Devon Partnership NHS Trust
  • Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust
  • Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
  • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
  • Solent NHS Trust
  • South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust
  • West Midlands Clinical Research Network

 

What does the study involve?

Long-term care home residents will be asked for some general information about themselves and to answer questions about their social connection, lasting around 15 minutes.

Members of care home staff will be asked for some general information about themselves and to answer some questions about the resident.

 

Participant Information Sheets