Objective This study aimed to determine the level of anxiety in elderly individuals during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Ankara province of Turkey and determine its associated factors. Methods A quantitative, qualitative mixed‐method study performed in 1–10 June 2020 during the compulsory home‐stay for elderly people in Turkey. The quantitative study was conducted using a structured online questionnaire with 278 participants aged 65 or older. The Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI) was used to assess the anxiety. An in‐depth interview with 20 participants was used to fill the gap of face‐to‐face interview due to pandemic situation and strengthen the results of quantitative survey. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed separately. Results Of all participants, 88 (31.7%) had a score above the cut‐off point for GAI. The prevalence of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) was significantly higher in female (37.8%) than in male (23.8%). Female gender, economic loss, uncertainty, and the time participants expend to follow news about COVID‐19 pandemic were risk factors of GAD. On the other hand, higher education level, hobbies, and regular physical activity were protective factors against GAD. Conclusion During the pandemic, social isolation and lockdown for elderly people make serious risk factor for their mental well‐being. Measures must be taken to support the psychological well‐being of elderly by promoting physical activity and hobbies at home, and reducing their economic concerns.

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Tarihi kayıtlara göre veba salgını ilk kez M.Ö 430'da, Peloponezya Savaşı sırasında görüldü. Hastalık Libya, Etiyopya ve Mısır'dan geçtikten sonra Ispartalıları kuşatırken Atina duvarlarını geçti. Bu salgın tahminlere göre 75,000-100,000 (Toplumun %25-30'u) kadar Abstract"Those who fail to read history are destined to suffer the repetition of its mistakes". The study of past pandemics can be useful in more effective action during current pandemic of COVID-19. In this context, the purpose of this article is to briefly review some of the most important and deadly epidemics in human history. Infectious diseases and epidemics have affected societies throughout history and caused permanent changes in the world. Diseases have sometimes turned into major and fatal epidemics due to natural causes and sometimes due to human error. Throughout history, people have different thoughts about epidemics and have resorted to various measures to control epidemics. These measures sometimes arise from religious beliefs and sometimes are based on scientific evidence such as quarantine, vaccination and hygiene. One of the most important results we have achieved in this review is the importance of international cooperation in the fight against the epidemic. Today, international cooperation is of great importance in order to better control the COVID-19 outbreak. One of the other important issues in the fight against the epidemic is the culture and level of health literacy of societies which and plays a vital role in the successful implementation of all measures taken.