Connecting Today: remote video calls to reduce loneliness for people with dementia in care homes
Official title: Connecting Today to Combat Social Isolation and Loneliness: An Evaluation of a Remote Visiting Program for Care Home Residents Living With Dementia
Run by University of Alberta · NCT07182019 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A remote visiting program tests if 60-minute weekly video calls with family or friends can reduce loneliness and improve quality of life for care home residents with dementia.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 65 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 320 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Alberta Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Edmonton, Alberta) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | June 9, 2026 |
| Main results expected | September 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | September 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | July 1, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07182019 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal participants are residents aged 65 or older with moderate to severe dementia living in care homes, and a willing family member or friend who can participate via English-language video calls.
✕Probably not a fit
Some residents or visitors may not experience noticeable benefits, and those with severe communication barriers or inconsistent internet access may have limited impact.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This feasibility study will recruit 80 residents with moderate to severe dementia from four care homes across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario, along with their family or friend supporters. Participants will be assigned to either the Connecting Today intervention or a wait-list control and receive up to 60 minutes of facilitated video calls each week for six weeks. A trained care provider will tailor and moderate the calls to promote positive engagement and communication. The study will look at resident outcomes such as quality of life and loneliness, as well as remote visitors’ quality of life, loneliness, and social support, to inform a future larger trial. The trial is designed to test feasibility and potential mechanisms of action in a multi-province setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, residents may experience less loneliness and better quality of life, with their families feeling more connected and supported.
How similar studies have gone: Previous feasibility work and pilot studies support acceptability of remote, facilitated video interactions for this population, but full effectiveness data in a multi-province RCT is still needed.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: Residents: * are at least 65 years old * are diagnosed with any type of dementia * have a Cognitive Performance Score (CPS) indicating moderate to severe impairment (CPS 3-6). * to participate, residents must also have people that self identify as a family member or friend of the person with dementia. Remote visitors: * are people that self-identify as a family member or friend of the person with dementia * are people with whom the person with dementia desires contact * are 18 or older * understand and speak English. Exclusion Criteria: * All remote visitors are required to understand and speak English as this is necessary for the facilitator to support the call and for data to be collected.
Where it's running
-
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hannah O'Rourke, PhD — University of Alberta
- Study coordinator: Hannah O'Rourke, PhD
- Email: hannah.orourke@ualberta.ca
- Phone: 780-492-7961
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.