Ynysawdre Elderly Residents Isolation Case Study

The Ynysawdre Elderly Residents Association (Ynysawdre ERA) was formed to act as a voice for the elderly people living in the community.  Although the primary purpose of the group is to focus on local concerns, the Association is mindful of the wider issues which affect the elderly. The Association brings issues and concerns that affect people’s wellbeing to the attention of relevant bodies.

YERA’s monthly meeting were regularly attended and an important social activity for their members. The Covid-19 crisis has meant those meetings can no longer take place, but the members still support each other running shopping errands, collecting medicine and keeping in regular contact to make sure people are not alone. The members appreciate this but are also aware that they are experiencing more isolation than before with many members not venturing out because they are shielding. 

This increased isolation of older people due to Covid is not unique to Ynysawdre and affects all rural wards. This project is a case study looking at how members of the Ynysawdre Elderly Residents have been isolated by the Covid-19 restrictions. The study will look at different ways to reduce that isolation and find innovative approaches to serving the needs of Ynysawdre Elderly Residents in the current Covid-19 crisis and the “new normal” as Covid restrictions start to lift.

The project aims to investigate digital solutions to the isolation older people are experiencing during the Covid crisis. It then aims to identify the barriers that prevent older people using those solutions. Before making further recommendations to break down those barriers.

The case study includes:

• An investigation of the increased isolation faced by the members due to Covid.
• Recommendations to reduce that isolation.
• An Investigation into digital solutions to that isolation.
• Identification of the barriers that prevent older people using those solutions.
• Further recommendations to break down those barriers.