Abstract
BackgroundThe impact of severe second lockdown measures on older adults’ wellbeing is unknown. We aimed to (i) identify the impact of the second lockdown that resulted from the second wave of COVID-19 cases on older Australians’ quality of life; (ii) compare the impact of second wave lockdowns in Victoria, Australia’s second most populous State, to those in other States and Territories not in lockdown.MethodsA national cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults completed online questionnaires for quality of life, social networks, healthcare access, and perceived impact of COVID-19 between July to September 2020. Tobit regression was used to measure the relationships of healthcare service access and social networks with quality of life of older adults in Victoria compared to those in the rest of Australia.ResultsA total of 2,990 respondents (mean [SD] age, 67.3 [7.0]; 66.8 % female) participated. At time of data collection, Victoria’s second COVID-19 lockdown had been in force for an average 51.7 days. Median quality of life scores were significantly higher in Victoria compared to the rest of Australia (t2,827=2.25 p = 0.025). Being female (95 % CI, -0.051–0.020), having lower educational attainment (95 % CI, -0.089–-0.018), receiving government benefits (95 % CI, -0.054–-0.024), having small social networks (95 % CI, 0.006–0.009) and self-reported physical chronic health conditions were all independent predictors of lower quality of life.ConclusionsLonger-term studies are required to provide more robust evidence of the impact as restrictions lift and normal social conventions return.
Highlights
The impact of severe second lockdown measures on older adults’ wellbeing is unknown
This study aimed to (i) identify the impact of the second lockdown that resulted from the second wave of COVID-19 cases on older Australians’ quality of life; and (ii) compare the impact of second wave lockdowns in Victoria to those in other States and Territories not in lockdown
Study design and setting A national cross-sectional survey was conducted across Australia from 10 July to 28 September 2020 to coincide with the second wave of lockdown restrictions in Victoria (8 July to 27 October 2020)
Summary
The impact of severe second lockdown measures on older adults’ wellbeing is unknown. We aimed to (i) identify the impact of the second lockdown that resulted from the second wave of COVID-19 cases on older Australians’ quality of life; (ii) compare the impact of second wave lockdowns in Victoria, Australia’s second most populous State, to those in other States and Territories not in lockdown. To contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), physical distancing (i.e., remaining at least 1.5 m from others) and stay-at-home/lockdown restrictions (requiring citizens to remain at home, unless accessing essential services) were implemented [1, 2]. Whilst lockdowns have been effective in slowing the spread of the virus, there is concern about how these infection-control measures may impact older adults’ social lives [3, 4], as they tend to be more socially isolated, have smaller networks and may suffer from chronic illnesses and/or rely on community services [5,6,7]. Other Australian State and Territory Governments worked quickly to impose interstate travel and border restrictions over fears that the virus would spread across Australia, which prohibited access to States [11]
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