The project aims to support VET-Providers, Caregivers and the final beneficiaries, the elderly people, to find solutions in preventing and coping with loneliness with the help of dedicated Training, Counselling and digital Tools. Loneliness is widely recognized as among the most significant and entrenched issues facing our aging society, which is sadly proofed by the actual CoViD-19 Crisis. The social isolation from the current COVID-19 pandemic triggers an ethical dilemma, especially for institutionalized older people who may be visited by a carer twice a day. Its importance is shown by the fact that this public health measure reduces the risk of infection, but that loneliness is the answer to emotional, social and existential isolation. The effects of loneliness can also be seen in negative health-related outcomes. Loneliness is a negative emotion associated with a perceived gap between existing relationships and desired ones. The effect of loneliness is harmful to health and increases the risk of disability. Through the development of a blended learning solution, caregivers will be empowered to identify and reach lonely individuals, to measure and to understand the nature of an individuals loneliness and to support them to access social contacts and appropriate services. A partnership of 7 organisations (VET Provider and HEIs with continuing Training programmes) came together from 5 partner countries (Austria, Cyprus, Italy, Lithuania and Spain), all of them with longlasting expertise in the field of elderly care to develop a holistic approach to identify and intervene against loneliness. Main products of the project will consist in five Intellectual outcomes: IO1: Country Research reports on loneliness, specification book for diagnostic- and intervention-tools; including Country specific adaptations IO2: Prevent-Loneliness Networks (real-life and virtual) and Policy Recommendations IO3: Digital Diagnostic Tool on Identifying Loneliness IO4: Digital Tool on Preventing Loneliness IO5: Curricula for blended training programme on prevention of loneliness Target groups and final beneficiaries are initial and continuous VET-Provider in the field of elderly care, (including HEIs with continuous VET Training programme for "in Service staff"), Elderly Care Centres, vocational educators in these centers, caregivers (nurses, social workers, etc) and elderly people themselves. Within this project, also 14 head trainers will participate in a short term staff training to receive needed competences to deliver train the trainer programmes in their countries, at least 60 VET-Trainer and HEI lectures and will be facilitators of the blended learning programme and at least 125 caregivers get trained to use the tool. This will lead to a countable number of elderly people who will be supported to overcome their loneliness. As long term impact, this project pilots "Loneliness prevention Networks" as good practice for sustainable implementation, it enhances competencies on the use of digital tools in the elderly care sector and for elderly people themselves and to mainstream different efforts to combat the huge challenge of a lonely aging society. And, not to forget the extraordinary importance of the projectoutcomes in times of quarantine caused by pandemics like in early2020.
Loneliness is a negative emotion associated with a perceived gap between existing relationships and desired ones. It is widely recognized as among the most significant and entrenched issues facing our aging society. The effects of loneliness harm health and increase the risk of illness. Despite this major problem, there are still few tools for identification and intervention. and very few training courses. Training on this topic is rarely offered,and care-giving family members are often left to fend for themselves. The Digi-Ageing partnership has addressed these challenges.The first step was face the problem and raise the awareness about this huge challenge of a lonely aging society. During the two and a half years of the project period, the partners were doing research, developed digital tools to “detect” loneliness and created strategies - as social media engagement, networking and training - to prevent and cope with this issue.
Digi-Ageing – overcoming loneliness "Loneliness in old age" is a societal phenomenon that still receives insufficient attention. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has clearly shown us that we need to pay much more attention to this issue. Older people were increasingly isolated in this situation: those in care facilities were isolated for their own protection, others had little contact with friends and family, or lived entirely on their own. Individuals who cared for older people often found themselves overwhelmed by the numerous challenges, including those in their own daily lives. This was especially true for family caregivers. As a society, we should better prepare for such scenarios and provide stronger support to those who dedicate themselves to the important task of care-giving. Therefore, the international Digi-Ageing consortium developed a comprehensive concept between October 2020 and July 2023 to address these challenges and initiate appropriate measures to effectively counteract the phenomenon of "loneliness in old age".