Title: ‘Turkey is not just for Christmas! A shared appreciation for research conducted in care homes during the Covid-19 pandemic. Authors: Kathryn Hinsliff-Smith, Jane Wray, Caroline White and Janice Keefe October 11 th 2021 was Canadian Thanksgiving Day and LTCCOVID also hosted an international seminar on care home research. This enabled us both to discover similarities between the UK and Canada (Turkey for celebrations!) and connections through our research work in the care home sector through the pandemic. The seminar enabled three research teams to share their findings from recently completed studies delivered by researchers (@livinginhope @EWolverson @SallyBlonde1 @carolinannwhite @dist_care @HinsliffK @Jayne_NurseProf @SarahCGriffiths @SALTY_LTC). All three studies, two conducted in the UK (at Hull and DMU) and one based in Atlantic Canada, had one central theme; to understand the experiences of the care home sector during the pandemic and imposed lockdowns or lockouts. Each study focussed on different elements – these ranged from the experiences of previously ‘regular’ care home visitors during lockdown; family and friends’ experiences of keeping in touch from a distance; the application of care home policies using implementation science. However, despite the differences in focus, location, care delivery and methodology, there was a parity of understanding that there are emerging themes which we wish to share with you here. Across the three studies, conducted in 2020-2021, we have gathered a multitude of experiences, through some 90 completed online surveys, 80 one to one interviews and 30 follow up interviews with family/friend carers and 64 interviews with LTC staff and key informants. As well as other investigative ongoing work in the UK (Universities of LSE, Leeds, Nottingham), Canada and work conducted in the Netherlands, there is a growing evidence base for a real understanding of the impact that restricted access to care homes residents has had at different levels, and about what is needed for the future. The profound effect on relatives, as seen by work on distance caring, residents experiences, care home staff and managers (DAMSON study) is without doubt unprecedented but what can we learn from this? In the UK there have been scathing reports, on the failings of the UK Government on actions taken before and during the pandemic (see the UK Report, and two Amnesty Reports ‘The State Of the Worlds’ Human Rights’ and ‘As if Expendable’ ) as well as individual national responses to the pandemic (Low et al., 2021). Similar reports at both Provincial and Federal level were submitted in Canada including a report from the Canadian Armed Forces who were called in to help with the devastation in LTCs and proposed solutions from Royal Society of Canada. In addition to these findings, what can we as researchers share so that lessons can be learnt? Here are some fundamental and key aspects that were uncovered across all three studies, summarised below as key messages and recommendations. Five key messages Communication: This was identified by all three studies and included communication between care home residents, their families and friends, and between care homes and families. Good, clear communication ensured carers’ information needs were met, and they could maintain their relationship with care home residents and receive updates about their wellbeing. We reported blurred lines of communication between relatives and the care home leading to levels of anxiety and distress; there was also in some instances a gap between family members’ needs for information