The Brighton and Sussex Medical School hosted a seminar at Nightingale House on the 30th of January 2025 entitled ‘Social Connectedness in Care Homes: from Research to Practice’. The seminar, aimed at geriatricians, doctors and medical students, researchers, social care professionals and the public, included seven speakers: Dr Khalid Ali (Reader in Geriatrics, Brighton and Sussex Medical School), Nuno Santos Lopes (Director of Research & Innovation, Nightingale Hammerson), Helen English (Associate Professor in Music, University of Newcastle, Australia), Helen Simmons (Senior Charity Executive), Professor Desmond O’Neill (Professor of Medical Gerontology, Trinity College Dublin), Professor Avram Mark Clarfield (Emeritus Professor of Geriatrics, Centre of Global Health; Chair, National Council on Ageing, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem), Professor Robert Abrams (Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry in the Division of Geriatrics and Palliative Care, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, USA), and Professor Owen Lewis (Professor of Psychiatry in Medical Humanities & Ethics, Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons, USA).
From research in ‘age and ageing’ with a focus on arts and humanities including film, poetry, literature and history, the speakers engaged in a conversation with the audience on strategies and policies to improve the wellbeing of older care home residents. To host such an esteemed group of international speakers affirmed our understanding that social connections are a universal human need and a priority when planning an older person’s care.
“Collaborating with the innovative team at Nightingale House was a great opportunity to bring national and international health and social care academics and practitioners to share models of best practice, discuss research evidence and plan future partnerships to improve the lives of care home communities.” Dr Khalid Ali, Reader in Geriatrics at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School and event organiser.
“As the population ages and the use of technology increases, the fantastic panel of international speakers offered the evidence that social connections need to be at the centre of the care provided to older people living with care needs.” Nuno Santos Lopes, Director of Research, Innovation and Community Engagement.
The event was sponsored by the Academy of Medical Sciences.
For further information, please contact Nuno Santos Lopes, Director of Research & Innovation, Nightingale Hammerson. nlopes@nightingalehammerson.org
