Between Isolation and Digital gaps: Systematization of an Experience of Socio-emotional support in Elderly People of Temuco, Chile, in Times of COVID-19

ABSTRACT

This article on systematization of experience shows the work carried out within the socio-emotional accompaniment project developed during 2020 in the context of COVID-19, in which elderly people were mainly affected. It shows how isolation and digital gaps play a fundamental role in people's physical and mental health.One of the main questions is How did isolation and digital gaps affect the mental health of elderly people in times of pandemic? To answer this question, a quantitative research was carried out through techniques such as interviews, surveys, written records, workshops, article review and seminars.The results are reflected by means of telephone calls made by a group of students in practice to the elderly people who participated in the project, and which revealed the negative effects that isolation produced in their daily lives and the difficulties encountered by them because they do not know how to handle digital media to be able to communicate with family and friends.