Concerns of older adults during second COVID wave in India

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundA second wave of COVID infections in India, lockdown, restriction on services, and strain on an unprepared health system has had significant impact on older adults. It is important to examine impact of the lockdown on the elderly and their caregivers, useful coping strategies and requirements for support going forwards.MethodAs part of an ongoing community engagement initiative with older adults, an online survey was conducted in 2020 during the first wave of the pandemic investigating mental health and wellbeing of older adults. Participants who shared details were contacted one year later to understand impact of the second COIVD wave on their wellbeing and coping. An in‐depth telephonic interview was conducted and General Health Questionnaire 5 item were used for data collection. Audio consent was taken prior to interviews which were recorded and transcribed for thematic analysis.ResultOut of 58 participants who shared contact details, 16 % (N=9) agreed to participate in the interview. about 40 % refused mentioning they were unwell/ too busy/or agreed to speak at a later date. One female and 8 males participated in the interview between the ages of 36 to 83 years. All participants held post graduate/ professional degrees. 33 % (N=3) participants obtained a GHQ score of 2 and above on the five item General Health Questionnaire indicating presence of depressive features. As compared to the first lockdown, older adults found the second lockdown more stressful due to deaths of close friends and family members. Increased fears about family members with comorbidities contracting the virus, difficulties managing emotional wellbeing, and challenges helping younger family members manage their routines and follow basic COVID protocols were key concerns. Coping strategies found useful were remaining active and engaged at home, attending online mental wellness sessions, practicing yoga/ meditation and spending time with friends/family. Older adults highlighted a need for more emotional support through creation of social media networks and online platforms.ConclusionPreliminary findings from this study emphasize a need for leveraging technology to support emotional wellbeing of older adults during lockdown and COVID restrictions.