Digital Technologies That Support Meaningful Connections in Care Homes: Scoping Review

This review is the first to explore how digital technologies are applied in care homes to facilitate meaningful connections and identify how digital technology is a catalyst for meaningful human connection rather than a replacement. The application of generative artificial intelligence technology is currently a gap in the evidence base and needs to be considered in conjunction with key stakeholders to ensure that future developments meet the social needs of the entire community. Future research needs to consider how new evaluation metrics can be developed that combine digital engagement data with validated measures of meaningful connection to assess the person-centered impact of generative artificial intelligence technologies in care homes.