Social prescribing for older adults with cognitive impairment : an exploration of an emerging pathway

The objective of this manuscript-based thesis is to explore how the practice of social prescribing engages and supports older adults living with cognitive impairment. First, I conducted a rapid systematic review (Chapter 2) to contribute to the current understanding of social prescribing for people with dementia and care partners in order to advance research and practice. I searched eight online resources for peer-reviewed studies across all languages and years. I included seven studies in eight publications, including five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one non-RCT, and two mixed methods studies. Findings were mixed, with some studies showing positive effects favouring the intervention, while others showed no change. I identified some implementation factors including provider characteristics, intervention intensity and level of integration for care navigation that could have implications for social prescribing. In Chapter 3, I conducted a qualitative study using an interpretive description approach to explore BC-based community connectors’ experiences supporting people living with cognitive impairment. I interviewed ten participants and analyzed the data using interpretive approaches. Findings highlighted connectors’ efforts to deliver an accessible program, their experiences navigating boundaries and responsibilities, and the value of team-based decision making and collaboration. Taken together, this research explores current knowledge on social prescribing for people with cognitive impairment, contributes new findings and identifies avenues for future research.