Abstract
In Japan, the community-based comprehensive care system is an important initiative. The purpose of this study was to understand COVID-19-related lifestyle changes experienced by older adults who lived in communities and used day-care services. Using a qualitative inductive research method, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 older adults who used day-care services in Kyoto City, which assessed lifestyle changes before and after the spread of COVID-19 during March–April 2021. The extracted lifestyle change codes were classified into six categories and 16 subcategories. The data revealed that older adults felt socially isolated and experienced multiple changes in their lives, including limited leisure activities, changes in roles, decreased interpersonal interaction with family and acquaintances, poor diet and sleep quality, and reduced attention to personal appearance and grooming. The findings suggest that during COVID-19, older adults had difficulty adapting to the various changes in their lives and showed a decline in physical and mental functioning. Thus, it is important for day-care facilities to create sustainable spaces in response to the various care needs of community-dwelling older adults whose lifestyles have changed as a result of the COVID-19 situation.
Highlights
By 2025, the number of people aged 75 and above in Japan is expected to reach21.8 million [1]
Various life changes were extracted as codes by means of the analysis and classified into six categories; (Decrease in the frequency of going out), (Minimal human connection), (Decrease in activities), (Disruption of daily life), (Deteriorating health), and (Increased anxiety about the future), and 16 subcategories were identified under them
The findings indicate that after the declaration of a state of emergency, participants felt socially isolated due to a decrease in the frequency of going out, and they experienced deteriorating health and increased anxiety about the future due to minimal human connection, decrease in activities, and disruption analysis and classified into six categories; (Decrease in the frequency of going out), (Minimal human connection), (Decrease in activities), (Disruption of daily life), (Deteriorating health), and (Increased anxiety about the future), and 16 subcategories were identified under them
Summary
By 2025, the number of people aged 75 and above in Japan is expected to reach21.8 million [1]. The Japanese government is establishing a community-based comprehensive care system so that older adults can continue to live in familiar communities This system is expected to be established by 2025 and will provide housing, medical care, long-term care, preventive services, and lifestyle support in an integrated manner, while emphasizing neighborhood relationships [2]. Previous studies have indicated that participation in physical and social activities is important to maintain and improve health among older adults [6,7,8]. Such individuals face a higher risk of mortality due to COVID-19 but are more susceptible to impaired physical and mental functioning due to prolonged avoidance of activities and restricted outings
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