Maintaining social engagement

Social connections play an important role in maintaining cognitive function in dementia. Older adults with cognitive impairments such as dementia are at heightened risk of loneliness and depression. Often their cognitive difficulties are related not only to memory problems, but also to problems with interacting and engaging socially with others. As their condition worsens, social networks grow smaller for people living with dementia. We have co-designed a novel social skills intervention with people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment.

We hope to help people living with dementia or mild cognitive impairment maintain or enhance their social engagement, and quality of life. Care partners are optional. 

We invite you to participate if you

• Are aged 55+
• Have noticed changes in your memory or thinking OR have a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia
• Feel lonely sometimes
• Can join online sessions on ZOOM using a computer or table
• Do not have memory loss or difficulty finding words which stop you from having conversations
• Can do basic daily activities without help
• Can have conversations in English
• Can see and hear well (with glasses or hearing aid/s if needed)
• Do not have a severe psychiatric disorder (e.g., psychosis or bipolar disorder)
• Life expectancy is over 12 months
• Live in Australia

What does my participation involve?

1. 5 online group video calls lasting 2 hours each
2. 3 online individual video calls to track your progress: thinking tasks and questionnaires about your social connections, mood and well-being. The individual videocalls will occur: 1) before you do the first group videocall, 2) after the last group videocall, and 3) at 3 months after the final group videocall.

To find out more about this study, visit this webpage.

You can fill out an expression of interest in the study here.