Experiences and the quality of life of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic and the introduction of COVID-19 restrictive measures in Serbia

Abstract

This paper is part of a broader qualitative study examining the experience of people during the first wave of the pandemic in Serbia when the state of emergency was proclaimed, and the effects of this situation on the quality of life and mental health of specific age groups. The paper presents the results of interviews conducted with people over 65, who were particularly affected by the introduced restrictive measures, due to which many senior citizens felt a significant decline in the quality of life, accompanied by the risk of developing various emotional problems. In order to understand better their specific experiences during the pandemic and the related measures introduced, we conducted a qualitative study taking into account the characteristics of previous life contexts, the changes in daily life and life quality during the pandemic, emotional reactions and coping strategies, as well as their expectations of the future. During April and early May 2020, sixteen people of both sexes (4 male) were interviewed, aged 65 to 87 (M = 71.19 years). The transcripts of the semi-structured interviews were processed in Maxqda qualitative analysis software and analysed by the principle of thematic analysis. The general conclusion is that the elderly from our sample adapted without major difficulties and managed to maintain a satisfactory level of their subjective well-being despite the pandemic and restrictive measures, with the help and support of their immediate social environment and in the context of the former general quality of life. This resulted in good adaptive strategies and outcomes, even in the situation of the restricted need satisfaction. However, the findings of the research indicate that, in the elderly, reactions to the pandemic are different from the reactions to the introduced measures - the tolerance of the elderly to the endangerment of personal needs is greater than the tolerance to the endangerment of personal rights and dignity. While the concern about one's own health was not explicitly expressed, the citizens older than 65 felt more affected by the introduction of the state of emergency and, especially, by the restrictive measures. The introduced measures of isolation resulted in increased negative feelings and a decline in the quality of life, as well as perceiving the threat to one's personal dignity.

The Perceived Assessment of Covid-19 Impact on Mental Functioning and Suicidality in Adult Population of Serbia

“…A special position of retired persons relates to the fact that in Serbia this population experienced the most restrictive measures against the spread of COVID-19. Large presence of chronic and acute illnesses in terms of percentage, a reduced level of social interaction and dependence on others, along with the previously stated special position of pensioners in Serbia, are concordant with the results of our research, as well as other studies in which this population reported on a great effect of the pandemic on their mental health (34). In further support of this is the fact that more than 25% of persons who sought psychosocial help via a helpline were aged from 71 to 80 (35).…”

Using the Pandemic for Their Own Gain: The Experiences of COVID in Serbia

“…My interlocutors emphasize the curfew and the "humiliating measures against old people" as a defining aspect of the early pandemic. A study focusing on the experiences of older adult Serbian citizens in the 2020 lockdown reveals that people felt more affected by the curfew and the loss of the freedom of movement than by the threat of the coronavirus itself (Džamonja Ignjatović, Stanković and Klikovac 2020). Furthermore, the pandemic opened up new questions about isolation and sociality (Nguyen 2020).…”