COVID-19 and the Digital Divide: Will Social Workers Help Bridge the Gap?

• Published in: Journal of gerontological social work 2020-10, Vol.63 (6-7), p.671-673
• Main Authors: Gibson, Allison, Bardach, Shoshana H., Pope, Natalie D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Clinical outcomes; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Digital Divide; Disease transmission; Geriatrics - organization & administration; Handheld computers; Health disparities; Health services; Humans; Information technology; Internet access; Loneliness; Medical treatment; Mental Health; Older people; Pandemics; Physical Distancing; Primary care; SARS-CoV-2; Social distancing; Social Isolation; Social justice; Social work; Social Work - organization & administration; Social workers; Socioeconomic Factors; Telemedicine; Telemedicine - organization & administration
• ISSN: 0163-4372; 1540-4048
• DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2020.1772438

Dear Editor,The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted almost every facet of life. For social work professionals, the implementation of social distancing policies have altered how we interact with clients. While many areas of practice have embraced remote offerings and telehealth, use of such methods with older adults continues to be a challenge. This letter is a call to action for gerontological social workers to make efforts to close the digital divide. This issue is a matter of social justice to ensure the information and resources from technology can be accessed by all. As a profession, we must make strides to ensure individuals of all ages have access to, and the ability to use, the technological resources available to support health and well-being. The social distancing requirements necessary to reduce and slow the transmission of COVID-19 can be isolating for people of all ages. Older adults are particularly vulnerable to poorer health outcomes from COVID-19 while also being at heightened risk for loneliness and decreased social engagement. Further, those without Internet access/electronic equipment (i.e., smartphones, computers, tablets, etc.) may be unable to receive primary care and other medical services as many are exclusively being offered remotely. This can exacerbate health disparities among this population. During the spring 2020 shutdown in the United States, 1 in 6 older adults delayed or canceled essential medical treatment due to COVID-19 and only 1 in 5 older adults received medical care by phone or video chat (NORC at the University of Chicago, 2020).