Abstract
While studies exploring COVID-19 and its global influence have begun, social networks and support among older adults in low-and middle-income countries, such as Ghana have been inadequate despite its enormous relevance. Thus, the study presents the voices of older adults in Jamestown, Accra and their social networks during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ghana. Using a phenomenological approach, data were collected from 15 older adults through in-depth interviews on older adults' social network experiences during COVID-19 pandemic situation. Older adults generally struggled to maintain connections with their family members, friends, neighbors, and the community, especially during the lockdown. They ascribed their limited interaction to COVID-19 preventive measures, such as social distancing and the limitation of face-to-face meetings imposed by the government. Loneliness, stress, and depression are also linked to the breakdown of social networks. The findings provide a deeper understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on older adults' quality of life. It emerged that the Ghanaian society could reconsider the professional services of gerontologists, social workers, community outreach workers, and philanthropists in mitigating loneliness, stress, and depression among older adults in current and future pandemics.
Highlights
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, social network support was identified as a critical element in older adults’ wellbeing
We have documented the experiences of older adults, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their social support networks, which has disrupted many people’s lives
Participants who had been exposed to COVID-19 but were not infected at the time of the investigation provided the perspectives reflected in this study
Summary
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, social network support was identified as a critical element in older adults’ wellbeing. In an attempt to understand the state of social networks, it is necessary to highlight the different non-pharmaceutical measures and their impact on social networks As indicated earlier, these COVID-19 precautionary measures include social distancing, staying at home, reduction in Social Networks in Limbo in Ghana face-to-face interaction including the lack of physical contact with friends and neighbors, as well as the ban on social activities. These COVID-19 precautionary measures include social distancing, staying at home, reduction in Social Networks in Limbo in Ghana face-to-face interaction including the lack of physical contact with friends and neighbors, as well as the ban on social activities These restrictions may pose multiple risks of stress, loneliness, stigma, and trauma-informed PTSD to all persons including older adults [2]. WHO— imposed restrictions by the various governments placed many older adults’ daily life activities and social networks in limbo
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