Nursing home residents' challenges with socialisation: can nurses help?

Nursing home residents experience significant changes in their social and emotional connections as a result of the unique challenges associated with their environment. One of the greatest changes is with whom they communicate on a day-to-day basis. It is essential that social integration and, subsequently, social bonds develop in order to reinforce a sense of person, confidence, and hope. However, there are multiple and varied factors, such as cognitive impairment of other residents, which make building meaningful relationships especially challenging. This article investigates the challenges confronting cognitively intact nursing home residents and their impact toward successful socialisation in their environment. Based on findings in the literature, recommendations for strategies that nurses can use to promote a sense of community and feelings of being at home for residents are explored and areas for research identified.