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Background The negative effects of loneliness on population health and wellbeing requires interventions that transcend the medical system and leverage social, cultural, and public health system resources. Group-based social interventions are a potential method to alleviate loneliness. Moreover, nature, as part of our social and health infrastructure, may be an important part of the solutions that are needed to address loneliness. The RECETAS European project H2020 (Re-imagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces) is an international research project aiming to develop and test the effectiveness of nature-based social interventions to reduce loneliness and increase health-related quality of life. Methods This article describes the three related randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that will be implemented: the RECETAS-BCN Trial in Barcelona (Spain) is targeting people 18+ from low socio-economic urban areas; the RECETAS-PRG Trial in Prague (Czech Republic) is addressing community-dwelling older adults over 60 years of age, and the RECETAS-HLSNK trial is reaching older people in assisted living facilities. Each trial will recruit 316 adults suffering from loneliness at least sometimes and randomize them to nature-based social interventions called “Friends in Nature” or to the control group. “Friends in Nature” uses modifications of the “Circle of Friends” methodology based on group processes of peer support and empowerment but including activities in nature. Participants will be assessed at baseline, at post-intervention (3 months), and at 6- and 12-month follow-up after baseline. Primary outcomes are the health-related quality-of-life according to 15D measure and The De Jong Gierveld 11-item loneliness scale. Secondary outcomes are health and psychosocial variables tailored to the specific target population. Nature exposure will be collected throughout the intervention period. Process evaluation will explore context, implementation, and mechanism of impact. Additionally, health economic evaluations will be performed. Discussion The three RECETAS trials will explore the effectiveness of nature-based social interventions among lonely people from various ages, social, economic, and cultural backgrounds. RECETAS meets the growing need of solid evidence for programs addressing loneliness by harnessing the beneficial impact of nature on enhancing wellbeing and social connections. Trial registration Barcelona (Spain) trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05488496. Registered 29 July 2022. Prague (Czech Republic) trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05522140. Registered August 25, 2022. Helsinki (Finland) trial: ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT05507684. Registered August 12, 2022.

BackgroundMost people in a state of illness or reduced self-sufficiency wish to remain in their home environment. Their physiological needs, and their psychological, social, and environmental needs, must be fully met when providing care in their home environment. The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the self-perceived needs of older people living with illness or reduced self-sufficiency and receiving professional home care.MethodsA scoping review of articles published between 2009 and 2018 was conducted by searching six databases and Google Scholar. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze data from the articles retrieved.Results15 articles were included in the analysis. Inductive thematic analysis identified six themes: coping with illness; autonomy; relationship with professionals; quality, safe and secure care; role in society; environment.Conclusion/discussionOlder home care patients living with chronic illness and reduced self-sufficiency are able to express their needs and wishes. Care must, therefore, be planned in line with recipients’ needs and wishes, which requires a holistic approach.

BackgroundResearch into care for older patients in the hospital environment has become an increasingly valuable source of information, as it gives feedback on the quality of hospital care provided. The aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the self-reported needs of older people in hospital care.MethodsThe scoping review was conducted by searching the following databases: Medline, Web of Science, ProQuest Central, Scopus, Cinahl, PsycINFO and Summon.ResultsThe search identified articles focusing on older people in hospital care. The majority of these articles address the system and quality of care for seniors at a somewhat general and theoretical level. Met and unmet needs were assessed by a variety of test methods focusing mainly on medical issues (e.g., Mini-Nutritional Assessment, ADLs—activities of daily living, Abbey Pain Scale) and mostly from the perspective of hospital staff, carers and relatives. Only 15 articles used assessments based on information and opinions obtained from the seniors themseAbstract_Paralves (self-reported needs). A thematic analysis revealed seven main themes: conduct and care in emergency departments, dignity, nutritional care, satisfaction of patients’ needs, pain, caring with respect, decision-making and spiritual needs.Conclusion/discussionThe results of this scoping review suggest that more attention should be focused on information acquired from the patients themselves, as it is only the patient, however, old or frail, who can offer an accurate perspective on met or unmet needs and the quality of care provided.

There is evidence supporting the use of psychosocial interventions in dementia care. Due to the role of policy in clinical practice, the present study investigates whether and how the issue of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in the national dementia plans and strategies across Europe. A total of 26 national documents were found. They were analyzed by content analysis to identify the main pillars associated with the topic of psychosocial care and interventions. Specifically, three categories emerged: (1) Treatment, (2) Education, and (3) Research. The first one was further divided into three subcategories: (1) Person-centred conceptual framework, (2) Psychosocial interventions, and (3) Health and social services networks. Overall, the topic of psychosocial care and interventions has been addressed in all the country policies. However, the amount of information provided differs across the documents, with only the category of ‘Treatment’ covering all of them. Furthermore, on the basis of the existing policies, how the provision of psychosocial care and interventions would be enabled, and how it would be assessed are not fully apparent yet. Findings highlight the importance of policies based on a comprehensive and well-integrated system of care, where the issue of psychosocial care and interventions is fully embedded.