Abstract
To explore older people's initial experience of household isolation, social distancing and shielding, and the plans they constructed to support them through the COVID-19 pandemic. Public health guidance for those aged 70 or older was predominantly to undertake stringent social distancing within their household. Little is known about older people's experience of these measures. This paper explores changes experienced by those over the age of 70 during the first two weeks of household isolation, social distancing and shielding in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and their early perceptions and plans to support them through the pandemic. An inductive phenomenological study. University staff posted the study invitation flyer on social media, such as WhatsApp neighbourhood groups, the Nextdoor App and Twitter. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 19 participants and repeated at 2-week intervals for 10weeks; further data collection is still in progress. This paper presents the findings from the baseline interviews, which showed older peoples' early responses. The COREQ (COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research) checklist was adhered to in the reporting of this study. Three themes emerged from older people's early experiences of social distancing: protective measures; current and future plans; and acceptance of a good life, but still a life to live. People over 70 adapted to household isolation, social distancing and shielding, by using social media and neighbourhood resources. Nurses and other professionals can develop holistic care for older people by listening to their experiences of what works for them, helping them link to local and distant supports. Understanding the holistic life view of older people, including death anxiety, is an important element of care planning; to help older people access the protective resources, they need to reduce the serious risks associated with coronavirus. Older people engage with social media, and during the current pandemic and beyond nurses can engage with this medium to communicate with older people. The importance of nurses to understand some older people consider quality of life to be more important than longevity, which may impact on their adherence to health advice.
Highlights
The vulnerability of older people to COVID-19 is indisputable (Oxford COVID-19 Series, 2020)
Understanding the holistic life view of older people, including death anxiety, is an important element of care planning; to help older people access the protective resources they need to reduce the serious risks associated with coronavirus
Household isolation and loneliness is an emotional feature of social distancing measures, which is mitigated by social media use and contact with neighbours and their local community
Summary
The vulnerability of older people to COVID-19 is indisputable (Oxford COVID-19 Series, 2020). In the UK from the 30th March to the 1st May 2020, Public Health England (2020a) provided social distancing guidance for those aged 70 or older, regardless of medical conditions, which was predominantly social distancing with and within their household. The only reason for leaving the house was to take daily exercise For those over the aged 70 and over, with certain medical conditions, shielding was recommended, with the advice not to leave home for any reason until the end of June 2020. Public health guidance for those aged 70 or older was predominantly to undertake stringent social distancing within their household. This paper explores changes experienced by those over the age of 70 during the first two weeks of household isolation, social distancing and shielding in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, and their early perceptions and plans to support them through the pandemic
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