We discuss the critical role social care is playing during COVID-19, particularly with the elderly. Our experts reflect on the current models of social care and their impact on care workers, as well as the unique challenges posed by COVID-19 and why we are seeing increased levels of mortality in care homes. Critically, we discuss we can do to improve our response and discuss what long-term changes governments could make to help improve social care policies.

Our guests include Professor Karen Glaser, Head of Global Health & Social Medicine, Dr Ludovico Carrino, Researcher at Global Health & Social Medicine, and Professor Mauricio Avendano Pabon, Director of the Institute for Gerontology at King’s College London.