This study, conducted in 2020, explored carers’ experiences of staying in touch with family and friends living in care homes during COVID-19, during which many care homes have had no or restricted visiting. Participants included carers of the following groups: people living with dementia; older adults; people with learning disabilities/intellectual disabilities and/or autism; people with sensory or physical disabilities.

The aim of the study was to learn what worked well, what did not work and what we can learn for the future, and inform our  understanding of how families, friends and care home residents can keep in touch when carers can not visit as often as they would wish; if for example, they are ill, live at a distance, have other caring or employment responsibilities, or if homes have to close due to infection.

The main findings highlighted the variety of ways which were employed to keep in touch, and the need for a personalised approach; the paramountcy of face to face visiting, especially for those for whom no successful means of remote contact had been established; the pain of separation; the importance of a trusting relationship with the care home. Carers were asked for, and provided, advice for other carers, and for care homes.

The project’s report is available at: https://www.hull.ac.uk/work-with-us/research/groups/docs/caring-from-a-distance-report.pdf