Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: Older people in pandemic
The results of the ANID-COVID project showed a decrease in the well-being and mental health of the elderly during the pandemic. Based on this situation, the UC directs its work towards improving their quality of life through comprehensive collaboration and inclusion programs. “Through the Fundación Conecta Mayor, the UC seeks to promote social integration through accompaniment, delivery of virtual devices and a help center, demonstrating the impact of the program,” says the rector in a letter published by La Tercera.
“Older people are those who have suffered in a special way in the pandemic. The greater severity of the disease, social isolation and the image of a vulnerable and passive group in the face of the pandemic have affected them. There is a stereotyped view of older people, which has meant a restriction on their participation in different areas, including dynamics within families.
The results of the ANID-COVID project on the quality of life of the elderly during the pandemic have been presented, in order to analyze the social, health and psychological consequences. The results confirmed a decrease in their levels of subjective well-being and in their mental health.
However, it was also possible to detect an increase in resilience to better face the pandemic, highlighting its important support for families. Although they are a fairly heterogeneous group, -with a population that requires policies that favor their inclusion-, our actions should be oriented towards the generation of a collaborative community culture.
“From UC, we take on the challenge of working for the needs of the elderly, to promote their participation with full rights in society” – rector Ignacio Sánchez.
From knowing this situation, our work is oriented towards improving their quality of life through comprehensive collaboration and inclusion programs, in which technology plays an important role. Through the Fundación Conecta Mayor, the UC seeks to promote social integration through accompaniment, delivery of virtual devices and a help center, demonstrating the impact of the program.
It is vital to provide the necessary tools to provide a better quality of life, as well as to work with other institutions in programs that favor their interconnectivity. From UC, we take on the challenge of working for the needs of the elderly, to promote their participation with full rights in society ”.