Social connectedness among older people during Covid-19

Professor Gott has been awarded $98,257 to research the mental health impact of isolation on the elderly. Professor Gott is partnering with Age Concern and the Ministry of Health to immediately inform their work. "Older people have been identified as the group most vulnerable to Covid-19 and subject to particular restrictions. However whilst this strategy will hopefully protect them physically, the potential for a second wave of harm relating to increased levels of social isolation and loneliness has been identified," the University of Auckland Nursing professor says. "Loneliness has a similar impact on health as smoking or obesity. Our findings will place the voices and experiences of culturally-diverse older people at the centre of public health responses to Covid-19."