They were asked to stay at home, to refrain from visiting children and grandchildren and to not do their shopping themselves … In recent weeks, many older people have largely had to go without social contact. The coronavirus pandemic has thus intensified a problem that is already very pronounced, especially among older people who also require care: social isolation. International and national studies show that this can have a negative impact on both mental and physical health. 

Researchers at the School of Health Professions of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), in cooperation with the ZHAW School of Engineering, are now investigating how the isolation of older people can be countered using digital tools. In the “Use of digital tools for socially isolated people in home care and their relatives during social distancing – digital support against social isolation [DASI]” project, the nursing research unit is analysing whether and which digital tools are already used for communication and monitoring in the field of domestic care in order to reduce the social isolation of those affected. The goal of the project is to identify best-practice examples, as well as gaps in “digital care”, and to explore opportunities to further develop devices and software. Data, for example from Spitex organisations across Switzerland on the use of digital tools, is being collected to this end.