The Experience of Homebound Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
J Gen Intern Med
; 37(5): 1177-1182, 2022 04.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35167063
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Homebound older adults have heightened risks for isolation and negative health consequences, but it is unclear how COVID-19 has impacted them. We examine social contact and mood symptoms among previously homebound older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN/SETTING:
Cross-sectional analysis using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS), a nationally-representative longitudinal study of aging in the USA.PARTICIPANTS:
A total of 3,112 community-dwelling older adults in 2019 who completed the COVID-19 survey in the summer/fall of 2020. MEASUREMENTS Homebound status was defined via self-report as rarely/never leaving home or leaving the house with difficulty or help in the prior month. We measured limited social contact during COVID-19 (in-person, telephone, video or email contactsRESULTS:
Among homebound older adults, 13.2% experienced limited social contact during COVID-19 vs. 6.5% of the non-homebound. Differences in social contact were greatest for contacts via email/text/social media 54.9% of the homebound used thisDISCUSSION:
Isolation among homebound older adults increased during COVID-19, partially due to differences in technology use. We must ensure that homebound persons have the connection and care they need including new technologies for communication during and beyond COVID-19.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Homebound Persons
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Gen Intern Med
Journal subject:
MEDICINA INTERNA
Year:
2022
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States