The impact of COVID-19 on older adults: Results from an annual survey

Ungar, Rachel; Wu, Lei; MacLeod, Stephanie; Tkatch, Rifky; Huang, Jinghua; Kraemer, Sandra; Schaeffer, J.; Yeh, Charlotte S.

doi:10.1016/j.gerinurse.2022.01.010

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…However, we were unable to identify a significant prevalence of mortality rates due to COVID-19 to include in this analysis. We are aware that loneliness rates increased for many older adults ( Ungar et al, 2021 ). Therefore, studies such as these, that emphasize the importance of social relationships, are vital during uncertain times.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness, Social Isolation, and All-Cause Mortality in a Large Sample of Older Adults

et al. 2022

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Objectives Using data from a large random sample of U.S. older adults ( N = 7982), the effect of loneliness and social isolation on all-cause mortality was examined considering their separate and combined effects. Methods The UCLA-3 Loneliness Scale and the Social Network Index (SNI) were used to define loneliness and social isolation. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed. Results Among study participants, there were 548 deaths. In separate, adjusted models, loneliness (severe and moderate) and social isolation (limited and moderate social network) were both associated with all-cause mortality. When modeled together, social isolation (limited and moderate social network) along with severe loneliness remained significantly associated with mortality. Discussion Results demonstrate that both loneliness and social isolation contribute to greater risk of mortality within our population of older adults. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, loneliness and social isolation should be targeted safely in efforts to reduce mortality risk among older adults.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Loneliness, Social Isolation, and All-Cause Mortality in a Large Sample of Older Adults

et al. 2022

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“…Isolation is associated with negative mental and physical health outcomes in later life ( Novotney, 2019 ; Shankar et al, 2011 ). Conversely, social connection during the pandemic has been associated with lower stress and pandemic-related worries for older adults ( Nitschke et al, 2021 ; Ungar et al, 2022 ). Thus, isolation as a risk, and connection as a resilience factor have been established in recent COVID-19 literature.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untapped Insight: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis of Older Adults’ Advice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Vleet

Fuller

Hofmann

et al. 2022

Innovation in Aging

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Background and Objectives Due to a lifetime of experience, older adults are uniquely positioned to contribute advice and insight to others during a historical, societal crisis such as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This qualitative study explores the solicited advice older adults offered their peers, family members, and communities throughout the first year of the pandemic. Research Design and Methods A sample of 72 older adults aged 70-97 from Minnesota and North Dakota were asked what advice they would provide to others in June 2020 and again in April/May 2021. Participants were asked to provide advice on individual coping and how community members should support older adults during the pandemic, as well as how others should adjust after the pandemic. Responses were coded and developed into overarching themes. Findings Older adults advised others during the pandemic to foster mental and physical well-being, develop positive life perspectives, and connect to others as strategies to cope through the pandemic. Participants advised that after the pandemic people should remain vigilant, return to normal, and emerge as better people. Advice targeted to meeting the needs of older adults during the pandemic included: adopt selfless attitudes, take intentional actions, and maintain balance. A longitudinal approach revealed that advice remained consistent over time, despite the circumstances caused by COVID-19 changing. Discussion and Implications Findings suggest that older adults utilize their life experiences and coping strategies as sources for drawing advice. These findings also suggest that older adults are sources of insight during crises. Future research should investigate additional advice older adults can offer and how willingly communities listen. Applied work should give older adults opportunities to provide far-reaching advice as well as develop interventions aimed at decreasing ageist perceptions of older adults in times of crisis.

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“…Most of them reported a substantial decline in at least one measure of well-being or mental health (most often loneliness and depressive symptoms) with the onset of the pandemic (Barcellos et al, 2021; Ejiri et al, 2021; Krendl & Perry, 2021; Raina et al, 2021; Stolz et al, 2021; van der Velpen et al., 2022). But some studies reported an increase in life satisfaction (Wettstein et al, 2022) and social network size (Ungar et al, 2022), or no change in loneliness (Kivi et al, 2021) and mental health (van Tilburg et al, 2020). A longitudinal study by Hansen and colleagues (2021) found that well-being among adults over 65 years in Norway was stable between January and June 2020 but broadly and substantially declined in December 2020.…”

Section: Influence Of the Pandemic On The Well-being Of Older Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Social Cure in Times of Pandemic Distancing

Uhlmann

Wegge

2023

European Journal of Health Psychology

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Background: Being a member of multiple social groups (multiple group membership, MGM) has beneficial effects on several health outcomes as stated by the social identity theory. MGM can also buffer the negative influences of life-altering events on well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic can be characterized as such an event. Aims: The present study investigated whether MGM is associated with better well-being for older people during the pandemic and if it has a buffer effect on the relationship between pandemic-induced fear and well-being. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with a representative sample ( N = 2,062) of citizens of Dresden, Germany aged 60 or older during the COVID-19 pandemic. MGM was operationalized in two different ways: as a self-assessment of the number of different social groups participants considered themselves a member of and as the number of formal groups people participated in, such as sports groups, clubs, or religious groups. Results: It was found, as expected, for both indicators that people who were members of multiple social groups reported better well-being than people with just one group membership. Participants with no group memberships had the lowest psychological well-being. MGM did, however, not buffer the negative impact of the pandemic-induced fear on well-being. Limitations: Limitations are based on our measurement methods (cross-sectional design and self-reported data). Conclusion: MGM is an important resource for older people even during a pandemic. Potential limitations of the social cure imposed by social distancing rules are discussed and related suggestions for practice are presented.

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The impact of COVID-19 on older adults: Results from an annual survey

Cited by 16 publications

References 43 publications

Loneliness, Social Isolation, and All-Cause Mortality in a Large Sample of Older Adults

Loneliness, Social Isolation, and All-Cause Mortality in a Large Sample of Older Adults

Untapped Insight: A Longitudinal Qualitative Analysis of Older Adults’ Advice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

A Social Cure in Times of Pandemic Distancing

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