https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33256458/

A study published in Aging and Mental Health suggests that mentorship could be a viable approach to reducing loneliness and depression in long-term care settings. Researchers evaluated the Java Mentorship program, through which teams of community volunteers and resident volunteer mentors visited and guided socially disengaged nursing home residents. They found that residents enjoyed and benefitted from their role as mentors, despite significant physical and cognitive challenges.