Abstract
Residential aged care has increasingly embraced person-centred care; however, many residents continue to experience loneliness, limited engagement, and communication difficulties despite receiving adequate physical care. This study explored residents' lived experiences of social connection, communication, and engagement in residential aged care. An interpretivist qualitative design was employed in an Australian residential aged care facility. Ten cognitively intact residents aged 70–100 years participated through open-ended interview questions. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis framework. Five themes emerged: loneliness and emotional isolation, communication barriers and feeling unheard, limited meaningful engagement, the need for personalised relationships, and greater participation in care decisions. Residents consistently emphasised that meaningful relationships, attentive communication, and personalised engagement were fundamental to wellbeing and quality of life. Quality aged care extends beyond clinical and physical support. Strengthening social connection, communication, and resident-centred engagement is essential for enhancing wellbeing and achieving genuinely relationship-centred care.