The Impact of the COVID-19 Emergency on Life Activities and Delivery of Healthcare Services in the Elderly Population

Abstract

Due to the prevailing pandemic of the coronavirus disease COVID-19, we are experiencing emotional and social isolation, which negatively affects mental and physical health, particularly among the elderly population. In this study, we performed a cross-sectional analysis based on computer-assisted telephone interviews of 500 Polish adults aged 60 years or older in order to determine the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on the older population’s behavior, life activity, and delivery of healthcare services. According to our study, COVID-19 infection entailed a substantial change in older people’s behavior. Over 50%, nearly 80%, and more than 25% of the surveyed participants reduced their social, recreational, and professional activities, respectively. The most significant change in senior’s behavior due to the fear of COVID-19 infection was observed in patients (1) with cardiac and pulmonary problems, (2) being on multi-drug therapy, (3) vaccinated against influenza, and (4) with several mental difficulties including loneliness, social isolation, and depression. Furthermore, we demonstrated that 10% of participants canceled planned hospitalization due to the fear of COVID-19 infection. This was observed primarily in patients suffering from chronic heart and lung diseases, vaccinated against influenza, exhibiting the reluctance to carry out more complex daily activities, and with a higher level of anxiety, social loneliness, and malnutrition. Thus, these groups of seniors require more attention; hence, we propose telemedicine as a strategy directed to them that provides clinical healthcare and information regarding measurements, control, and protection against SARS-CoV-2 during the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. We believe this strategy may improve treatment outcomes, reduce comorbidities-related complications and unnecessary hospitalizations.

The Assessment of Fear of COVID-19 among the Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Untreated for chronic diseases, COVID-19-infected patients are at an increased risk of death. Thus, despite the paradoxical sincere willingness to reduce the rate of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, such situations may adversely affect the clinical health of patients [ 12 ]. In this study, instead of highlighting the consequences of the fear during the COVID-19 pandemic (e.g., changes in behavior), we found subpopulations that are at the highest risk to exhibit health anxiety during the current pandemic.…”

“…No compensation was provided for participating in the study. More details regarding the study design are shown in a previously published article [ 12 ]. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of Wroclaw Medical University.…”

“…For instance, we determined that 10% of participants (50/500; 10%) canceled planned hospitalization due to the fear of COVID-19 infection. It was observed mainly in patients suffering from chronic heart and lung diseases [ 12 ]. This behavior further increases the risk of death, especially among the elderly population with a history of diseases.…”

Identification of Barriers Limiting the Use of Preventive Vaccinations against Influenza among the Elderly Population: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

“…According to our recently published article [ 22 ], from a total of 500 respondents, 201 were concerned about COVID-19 infection (201/500; 40.2%). In contrast, only 18 respondents did not show any concerns about the pandemic (18/500; 3.6%, Table S4a ).…”

“…No compensation was provided for participating in the study. More details on the study design are presented in the previously published articles [ 22 , 23 ]. The study was approved by the Bioethics Committee of Wroclaw Medical University.…”