Hats off to Kristine Theurer, PhD candidate, who has been awarded a doctoral research scholarship through the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC)! The Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship was bestowed on Kristine for her project “Please don’t throw balloons at me: An investigation of social citizenship in long-term care homes.” The project examines ways to improve psychosocial quality of life for residents in long-term care facilities, as loneliness and depression are an area of critical concern. Currently, residents in long-term care complain of stale programming, lack of meaning, and a lack of opportunities to actively engage as citizens with a voice in their communities. In this 2-phase qualitative study employing interviews, focus groups and structured observations, social citizenship and related policies from the perspectives of residents and staff will be explored, along with an evaluation of a new social model. Findings have the potential to increase resident engagement in their long-term care communities, and lessen feelings of loneliness and depression.
The department extends a warm congratulations to Kristine for her award – well done!