Social Prescribing During and Following Covid-19: Mapping Changes, Impact and Opportunities for Working With Older Adults
Creators: name: Lawrence, Rachel
Publisher: name: University of Surrey
Year: 2024
Subjects: Social prescribing
Older adults
Covid-19

description: Literature suggested that social prescribing could help mitigate some of the negative psychosocial implications of Covid-19 (e.g., social isolation) and facilitate pandemic recovery by strengthening community ties. This was especially important for older adults, a population disproportionately impacted by Covid-19 restrictions. Despite this, limited research has explored social prescribing for older adults within this specific context. The present collaborative and multi-methods thesis aimed to explore social prescribing for older adults during and following the Covid-19 pandemic, focusing on impact, changes and future considerations post-pandemic. Study one explored the impact of the pandemic on social prescribing services for older adults, using a survey co-designed with project partner sites (N = 71). Findings from social prescribing link workers, service providers and participants working in the VCFSE suggested the pandemic created a unique parallel where staff balanced the demands of their role with their wellbeing. Whilst managing this balance, the pandemic caused changes to how social prescribing was delivered, how social prescribing may fit within the wider healthcare system and provision/delivery of these services post-pandemic. Study two explored the impact of Covid-19 in more depth with the social prescribing team at Project Partner A, using an exploratory case study (N = 9 focus group, N = 3 interviews, N = 2 annual report documents). The findings showed how Project Partner A went through three phases of change following the onset of Covid-19. They experienced initial shock and change where they responded to sudden onset and subsequent phases where they had to re-think their service delivery and provide older adults with an adapted version of their service. As with Study one, findings also explored how the pandemic has, and is, continuing to impact their service. Drawing on the perspectives of older adults, Study three used semi-structured interviews (N = 14) to explore how VCFSE services supported older adults throughout the pandemic. Findings suggested that VCFSE services provided practical and social/psychological support. Older adults also discussed central mechanisms to effectiveness, including the personalised approach, continued signposting, how VCFSE engagement provided a sense of structure, belonging and further community involvement. Overarching these findings was a theme which captured how older adults valued the 4 support from VCFSE services and the importance of their work; resulting in participants advocating for the continuation of this support post-pandemic. Finally, Study four used group discussion events (N = 4 staff members, N = 4 older adults) to collaboratively map recommendations for supporting older adults at project partner services post-pandemic. Four key recommendations were developed and shared with partner sites, which included continuing to support older adults locally, ensuring VCFSE support is easily accessible, using a personalised approach focused on the needs of older adults and working to maintain an inclusive community environment for older adults to age well. Central thesis findings are discussed in relation to existing literature, implications for practice/policy (e.g., conceptualising social prescribing, funding and long-term sustainability and ageing communities) and suggestions are made for future work.