Societal Views of Older Adults as Vulnerable and a Burden to Society During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Results From an Israeli Nationally Representative Sample

Abstract

Objectives To examine the factors associated with older adults' perceptions of ageism in society during the COVID-19 outbreak, in particular the portrayal of older people as a burden and as vulnerable Methods Data are based on a nationally-representative survey of adults aged 50+ in Israel, conducted during the COVID-19 outbreak (N=888). Regression models predicted perceptions of societal ageism. The independent variables were dying anxiety, experiences of age-based discriminations and social resources Results Participants who believed older adults were perceived as a burden during the COVID-19 outbreak had higher dying anxiety and reported more age-based discrimination. Living with children and contact with family were protective against perceptions of adults as a burden. Participants who believed older adults were perceived as vulnerable had higher dying anxiety and were less likely to live with children Discussion The daily lives of older adults can impact their perceptions of societal ageism during the COVID-19 outbreak

Ageism in the time of COVID-19

“…Although well intentioned, this messaging had two very damaging consequences. First, it strengthened the homogeneous view of older adults as vulnerable, an already widely embedded negative age stereotype ( Cohn-Schwartz & Ayalon, 2020 ; Swift et al, 2019 ). This view can be damaging to future older adults.…”

“…vulnerable, an already widely embedded negative age stereotype (Cohn-Schwartz & Ayalon, 2020;Swift et al, 2019). This view can be damaging to future older adults.…”

Perceived Ageism During the Covid-19-Crisis Is Longitudinally Related to Subjective Perceptions of Aging

“…Numerous commentaries [e.g., (10)(11)(12)(13)] have observed a considerable increase in ageism during the pandemic, ranging from outright discrimination, such as the decision not to provide life-saving treatment on the basis of chronological age [e.g., (14)] to more subtle, well-meant, but also impactful forms of patronizing such as strongly advising older people to self-isolate indefinitely, regardless of health status (2,15). Cohn-Schwartz and Ayalon (16) have classified these manifestations of ageism as the "vulnerability narrative" and the "burden narrative": Older people are homogeneously described as weak and in need to be protected from the consequences of the pandemic at any cost. At the same time, there were discussions how the protection of this supposedly most vulnerable population placed a strain on younger people, who, despite their statistically lower likeliness of having a severe course of the disease, have to adhere to strict guidelines, relinquishing their freedom and liberties for the sake of the older ones.…”

“…The instances of ageism which emerged during the crisis might have severe consequences above and beyond the current pandemic. Besides the longstanding evidence for the detrimental influence of ageism on the individual and society ( 7 , 8 ), first cross-sectional studies show that perceived ageism during the pandemic is linked to increased anxiety ( 16 ) and lower well-being and subjective health of older adults ( 9 ). To possibly counteract this negative impact, it is of utmost importance to understand the consequences of ageism during the Covid-19 pandemic, and also the mechanisms through which it affects older adults' development.…”

COVID-19 pandemisi sürecinde yaşlıya yönelik ayrımcı uygulamalar ve yaşlı bireyler cephesinde durum değerlendirilmesi

“…ÇalıĢmaya göre, kadınlar, öznel sağlık algısı kötü olanlar, yüksek ölüm kaygısı bildirenler ve sağlık hizmetlerinde yaĢa dayalı ayrımcılığa uğradığını bildirenler anlamlı olarak yaĢlıları daha savunmasız olarak algılamaktadırlar (44). Pandemi öncesi, Helsinki yaĢlanma çalıĢmasına katılan 75-104 yaĢ arası katılımcıların %21'i yaĢlılara toplumda kötü muamele edildiğini düĢündüğü belirlenmiĢtir (45).…”