Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted older adults; due to elevated risk, many older adults have followed physical distancing guidelines. These efforts, while critical to public health, have also impacted the social interactions and connectedness of older adults. In this mixed-methods study, we conducted qualitative interviews and administered questionnaires to 23 adults age 60 and older to examine how physical distancing has affected their social connectedness; what strategies and supports they have utilized to maintain or improve social connectedness despite physical distancing; and what types of supports, programs, and interventions they feel could promote and foster social connectedness among older adults during physical distancing. The results may have implications not only for the pandemic, but also for older adults who cannot leave their homes or experience barriers to typical social activities for any reason (e.g., being homebound, having functional impairments).

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.