Priority 15 for Setting priorities for social care research in Wales

UNCERTAINTY: What has been learnt about how best to support older people during the Covid pandemic, and what should be prioritised for the future?  (Priority 15)
Overall ranking 15
JLA question ID 0102/15
Explanatory note Older people and carers experienced day centres being shut but also greater community support during Covid as well as less face-to-face contact from social care staff. They valued having regular phone calls. Does this suggest any permanent change for the better? Practitioners additionally questioned whether the changes had caused any serious problems for older people leading to increased care costs down the line. 
Evidence

No evidence identified
Health Research Classification System category Generic health relevance 
Extra information provided by this project
Original uncertainty examples In the COVID shutdown, relying a lot on each other, rallying around: social network (esp minority ethnic) which is really important. So don’t want to have to move away.~ Attendance at my day centre brightened my day and i was much happier. In the times since the Day centres have closed because of COVID-19 i have experienced very low mood. ~ What can we learn about how best to care for older people after Covid and what should be prioritized for the future? ~ What effect has suspended day services during the Covid 19 panademic have on older people's health and wellbeing? ~ During COVID-19 were discharge procedures and joint working protocols and communication between health and social care utilised effectively to promote independence and or promote best practice in discharges 
Submitted by 1 x older person, 1 group member (a mix of older people and carers), 8 x practitioners 
Project information
Project unique ID 0102
Project name Setting priorities for social care research in Wales
Total number of uncertainties identified by this project. 35  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 16 & 17 September 2020