Dear Reference Site Colleagues, 

The RSCN is a partner of the WE4AHA project and we are undertaking a survey to identify what strategies and digital solutions have been implemented by regions to address isolation of older people and improve their quality of life.

COVID-19 has placed additional pressures on health and care systems across Europe and in how citizens were required to behave in order to control the virus. This included older citizens having to "Cocoon" or be "Shielded" at Home or in a Residential Care Home or Nursing Home setting.

Through the survey we also wish to understand if any specific or additional initiatives or digital solutions were implemented to address isolation during COVID-19. One of the benefits of EIP on AHA for Reference Sites and Regions is the sharing of good practices and the transfer of evidence-based solutions. We will also use the survey to identify if any of the solutions have been benchmarked and which may be suitable for transfer to other regions.

Across Europe, and beyond, there are 103 Reference Sites covering approximately 53 million citizens aged 65 plus. This survey will be invaluable in helping policy makers and health and care providers understand how regions are addressing the isolation of older citizens and the types of digital solutions that have been implemented. The findings from the survey will be published later this year.

The deadline to fill in this survey is 31/07/2020 EOB.

We would encourage you to contribute to the survey so that we all can have a greater understanding of the ways to help reduce the potential isolation of our older citizens.

Jean Bousquet         Maddalena Illario

RSCN Co-Chair        RSCN Co-Chair