Caught between two fronts: successful aging in the time of COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic poses a great challenge for older people both in terms of the severity of the disease and the negative consequences of social distancing. Assumptions about negative effects on the lives of the elderly, affecting dimensions of successful aging (such as the preservation of social relationships), have thus far been hypothetical and have lacked empirical evidence. The aim of this paper is to shed empirical light on the effects of COVID-19 on the everyday life of older people against the background of the concept of successful aging. Design/methodology/approach Data of a standardized, representative telephone survey with residents of Lower Austria, a county of Austria, were used for this secondary analysis. The sample included 521 persons of 60 years of age and older. For this paper, contingency analyses (χ² coefficients, z-tests using Bonferroni correction) and unidimensional correlational analyses were calculated. Findings The empirical data show that successful aging along the three dimensions of successful aging is a challenge in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic – leaving the elderly caught between two fronts. Originality/value The present work focusses on a unique moment in time, describing the changes to the lives of Austrian elderly because of the social distancing measures imposed to protect against the spread of COVID-19. These changes are discussed in the theoretical framework of successful aging.

Older adults’ experiences of maintaining social participation: Creating opportunities and striving to adapt to changing situations

“…However, this was not contrasted in the present findings, but alternative ways to cultivate social relations had become more prominent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As found in other studies [33], an increase in contact with others even occurred during the pandemic as older adults turned to extend their telephone contacts, or contacts through social media. Considering the arguments above, it becomes important to support older adults in maintaining different ways of building social relations, as they can hold different kinds of meaning.…”

Hitting Close to Home: The Effect of COVID-19 Illness in the Social Environment on Psychological Burden in Older Adults

“…This group has been, and continuous to be, considered at risk for severe illness and mortality from COVID-19 infection ( Shahid et al, 2020 ; Gerwen et al, 2021 ) and therefore has had to incorporate changes into their day to day life. Health policies have targeted older people in asking them to isolate and physically distance to avoid infection which, although successful in protecting from the virus, have had negative consequences of their own: Increased subjective social isolation ( Peng and Roth, 2021 ), lower healthcare utilization ( Ksinan Jiskrova et al, 2021 ), reduction of physical activities ( Creese et al, 2020 ; Brown et al, 2021 ), and social interaction ( Richter and Heidinger, 2020 ; Heid et al, 2021 ) as well as the ever increasing problem of loneliness ( Carson et al, 2020 ; Entringer et al, 2020 ; Heidinger and Richter, 2020 ; Luchetti et al, 2020 ; Stolz et al, 2020 ; Krendl and Perry, 2021 ) have been reported as byproducts of COVID-19 safety measures. As these lifestyle changes have been previously linked to adverse mental health outcomes, it is not surprising that an increase in depression, anxiety and stress symptoms, and a general decline of mental health during the pandemic ( Shahid et al, 2020 ; Gerwen et al, 2021 ) have been noted in multiple studies ( Banks and Xu, 2020 ; Bailey et al, 2021 ; De Pue et al, 2021 ; Grolli et al, 2021 ; Tsoukalis-Chaikalis et al, 2021 ).…”

Differences in Multi-Faceted Lifestyles in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Their Association with Depression and Quality of Life of Older Adults in South Korea: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…According to Pizarro-Pennaroli et al [20], people spent more time at home, thereby reducing the performance of ADL by older people due to restrictions. In addition, this study identified that social distancing restricted leisure, social, educational, and productive activities, thereby reducing freedom and autonomy [21][22][23]. As social distancing restricts senior citizens from participating in activities, computer-based video programs are needed to allow them to experience various leisure and educational pursuits.…”