Dr Deborah J Morgan, Dr Hannah R Marston & Dr Robin A Hadley – Written Evidence (LBC0135)

Morgan, Deborah, Marston, Hannah and Hadley, Robin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4254-7648 (2020) Dr Deborah J Morgan, Dr Hannah R Marston & Dr Robin A Hadley – Written Evidence (LBC0135). House of Lords, UK Parliament, London.

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Abstract

There are concerns about the long-term impact of COVID 19 on loneliness. With services moving online for the pandemic, there is a real need to ensure that face-to-face interaction is not replaced solely by technological solutions. Although technology has been beneficial for many during the pandemic, research shows that for the older populations technological solutions are not a replacement for face-to-face interaction. Recent research on the impact of geographic distance on familial relationships by Burholt, Windle, Gott & Morgan (2020), found that loneliness - unlike social isolation - was not diminished through contact by telephone, text or email contact. Technology is a useful but limited tool and not a replacement for face-to-face interaction. There is an urgent need to evaluate responses to the pandemic: how we can be better prepared for any future crisis? This is particularly so for care home sector. The impact of the pandemic on visiting and social interaction for care homes residents has been profound. Having to respond quickly during the pandemic has in some cases, necessitated the use of technology that was often unfamiliar to both care professionals and older adults in care. There is a real need to ensure that care home staff and residents are familiarized with digital technologies to help maintain contact if physical visiting is not possible.