Abstract
BackgroundConfinement during the COVID-19 pandemic has placed great stress on older adults, which may be affecting their quality of life. Thus, this study aims to describe the changes in mental and physical health, isolation and loneliness, residence and socioeconomic resources in a national cohort of Chilean older adults before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. It also analyzes the changes in depressive symptoms by changes in the other quality of life indicators before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Possible methodological biases of telephone surveys in older adults living in non-developed countries are also discussed.MethodsBetween June and September 2020, a random subsample of 720 people who had participated in the face-to-face V National Survey on Quality of Life in Older Adults in Chile conducted at the end of 2019 was followed up by telephone. Descriptive bivariate analyses were performed using t-test and non-parametric tests for independent variables, comparing the baseline sample with the current 2020 follow-up sample during the peak of the pandemic outbreak in Latin America. Furthermore, descriptive bivariate analysis through t-test and non-parametric test for paired samples compared the follow-up subsample at baseline with the not-included sample, examining possible biases of the telephone interview compared with the face-to-face interview.ResultsIn the panel, there was no variation in self-rated health. The health symptoms that worsened were memory, stomach, and mood problems. Depressive symptoms and anxiety increased; similarly, smartphone users, social contacts, intergenerational co-residence and resilience increased. The telephone follow-up sample had a higher educational level and greater smartphone use than those not included in the subsample.ConclusionsAlthough some physical and mental health indicators have worsened during the pandemic, older adults mobilized resources that could allow them to maintain their quality of life, such as improved resilience. Thus, these findings can guide future research and the development of efficient strategies to improve these resources among older adults to ensure wellbeing.
Highlights
Chile is a middle-developed Latin American country that has a rapidly aging population
The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was on March 3, 2020, and 15 days later, a state of constitutional exception was declared due to the national catastrophe
The present study aims to monitor some quality of life indicators in a representative national cohort of older adults in Chile from during and before the pandemic COVID-19
Summary
Chile is a middle-developed Latin American country that has a rapidly aging population. The first confirmed case of COVID-19 was on March 3, 2020, and 15 days later, a state of constitutional exception was declared due to the national catastrophe This gave the government the power to restrict freedom of movement and association, thereby establishing a mandatory home quarantine for people older than 80 years (changed to 75 years on May 15) through the restriction of visits to long-term care centers and the closing of all daily centers, clubs, and organizations for older adults. This study aims to describe the changes in mental and physical health, isolation and loneliness, residence and socioeconomic resources in a national cohort of Chilean older adults before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. It analyzes the changes in depressive symptoms by changes in the other quality of life indicators before and during the COVID-19 outbreak. Possible methodological biases of telephone surveys in older adults living in non-developed countries are discussed
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