Loneliness is defined as feelings of disconnectedness, lack of belonging, and perceived isolation that can manifest as a physical or psychological state. In long-term care facilities, this sentiment can develop into social isolation in which residents are disconnected from family, removed from familiar environments, and suffer from various cognitive conditions that cause them to socially withdraw. Various clinical studies seek to identify the connection between isolation, loneliness, and lack of human touch with worsening health conditions and outcomes, determining that there is a correlation between this feeling of discontent. To combat this, healing touch has been a rising topic of conversation, surfacing the importance of human interaction and contact on healing. After pooling together various pieces of literature that focus on the benefits of healing touch, I sought to put on an outreach event that would address both major topics by bringing long-term care residents together and utilizing human touch and interaction to promote better health outcomes. With the assistance of 10 volunteers, the Vancrest Assisted Living staff, and my faculty advisor, I put on a Spa Event that brought together both male and female residents, giving them makeovers, hand massages, facials, painted nails, and hair styling. The goal was to spend time with each resident individually, pampering them and giving them individual human contact and time to make the residents feel special and combat the loneliness and lack of genuine human touch. The impact of the event was measured with a survey utilizing the volunteers’ perception of the residents
