Due to the persistent threat of 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), the government has imposed a series of social distancing policies to reduce virus spreading in the community. Elders are highly recommended to stay home to avoid face-to-face human contact. Loneliness and the mental health of elders are of major concerns.According to government’s data, 2 in 3 persons aged 65 and over had smartphones in 2019. It is believed that mobile phones have become many elders’ primary device to connect with others during the pandemic. In the meantime, fake health news floods social networking platforms with rumours and false news about COVID-19, which further spreading fear and anxiety among them.

We will recruit student volunteers to make regular phone calls to elderly subjects. Topics of the phone call include COVID19 vaccine, prevention and symptoms, mindfulness, as well as clarifying fake news. In order to improve mutual understanding, volunteers are also encouraged to chat with elders about items and topics other than the featured themes in this project. Recruited volunteers will be enrolled to the project’s e-learning platform to study materials about the topic which they will later deliver to elderly subjects. They are required to pass a quiz about the content before making their first phone call in this project.

1. provide accurate health information to elders2. link elders with youth 3. release the pressure of elders and remedy feelings of loneliness4. bridge the gap between the two generations5. enhance knowledge for both students and elders in the community 6. raise the public awareness of the needs of elders during the COVID-19 pandemic

300 to 400 elderly members of our community partners.

2021

Active Ageing, Well-being