Connection Over Convenience: Why Communication Matters More Than Logistics in LTC Visits - Issue 2 - Key Findings

Sep 28, 2026

Residents in long-term care (LTC) facilities commonly experience social isolation despite regular family and friend visits, and visitor satisfaction is linked to relationship maintenance and emotional well-being. This cross-sectional study tested how facility characteristics and resident communication factors relate to visitor satisfaction. Results from an online national survey of 175 community-dwelling adults showed no significant effects for facility or visit logistics, while residents’ verbal communication ability was significantly positively associated with visitor satisfaction.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages1

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background and Purpose

Study Design and Measures

Key Results

Implications

1114 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3739 CONNECTION OVER CONVENIENCE: WHY COMMUNICATION MATTERS MORE THAN LOGISTICS IN LTC VISITS Nicole Praska1, Caroline Collins-Pisano1, and Rachel Weiskittle2, 1. University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States, 2. University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States Residents of long-term care (LTC) facilities often experience social isolation, even with regular visits from family and friends. Satisfaction with these visits supports relationship maintenance and residents’ emotional well-being. Both structural factors and interpersonal dynamics may shape visitor satisfaction, yet their relative contributions remain underexplored. Identifying these predictors can inform programs that foster family engagement and enhance residents’ social well-being. This cross-sectional study examined whether LTC facility characteristics (facility type, travel time, length of stay) and resident communication factors (verbal communication ability, recognition of visitor, alertness) were associated with visitor satisfaction. An online national survey was completed by 175 community-dwelling adults (M age = 49.58, SD = 17.86, range 20-82) who had visited a loved one in LTC within the past 12 months. Pearson correlations assessed associations between visitor satisfaction and key variables. No significant associations emerged between visitor satisfaction and facility characteristics (years living in facility: B = 0.05, p = .09; minutes traveled: B = 0.001, p = 0.82; independent/assisted living: B = 0.19, p = 0.46; nursing home/skilled nursing: B = 0.17, p = 0.42) . Verbal communication ability was significantly positively associated with visitor satisfaction (B = 0.18, p = 0.02) . Recognition of visitor and alertness were not significant predictors (recognition: B =0.04, p =0.61; alertness: B = –0.08, p =0.39). Findings suggest that residents’ verbal communication may playa more critical role in shaping visitor satisfaction than structural or logistical aspects of visits.

FAQs

What problem does the study address in LTC visits?

It examines how social isolation in long-term care relates to visitor satisfaction and what drives that satisfaction during family and friend visits.

Which factors were analyzed as predictors of visitor satisfaction?

The study assessed LTC facility characteristics (facility type, travel time, length of stay) and resident communication factors (verbal communication ability, recognition of visitor, alertness).

What was the main finding about facility logistics versus communication?

Visitor satisfaction showed no significant associations with facility characteristics, while residents’ verbal communication ability had a significant positive association with visitor satisfaction.

Sep 28, 2026

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