Virtual Field Trips for Long-Term Care Residents: A Feasibility Study

Long-term care residents need better activities and access to community. A quasi-experimental design, one-group, pre- and post-test was used to investigate the outcomes of Passport, a one-month intervention for assisted living residents consisting of activities, face-to-face visits, and virtual fieldtrips. Residents were assessed for depression, social support, and physical and mental health. A significant increase in mental health was found post-intervention (p <.011). Mean comparisons pre- and post-intervention showed decreased depression and improved physical health and social support. This pilot study demonstrates the promise of technology as a viable intervention for quality resident care and a solution to overcoming cost, environmental, and regulation barriers.