Social isolation of the elderly and the importance of socio-family relationships - Link Me Up project

Abstract

The Pedagogical Innovation Project based on the Demola Methodology is based on co-creation and design thinking processes between multidisciplinary teams, made up of students, community organizations and teachers who are the facilitators of the innovation co-creation process. These processes focus on finding solutions to respond to current and future challenges proposed by partner organizations. In this article we aim to highlight the journey taken in a co-creation process developed in a partnership between students and higher education teachers in health – nursing and the Department of Social Action of a Municipality in the district of Santarém. The proposed challenge was related to social isolation among the Municipality's elderly and the importance of socio-family relationships. After developing the co-creation process, we highlighted the importance of valuing digital literacy among the elderly and promoting intergenerationality. The interconnection between the different sectors of society, especially the health sector and the social sector, is essential for the development of increasingly appropriate responses to the needs of the elderly population. In the long term, benefits will also be evident in this area, with the ability to begin preparing for aging, not just in the last phase of life, but throughout life.