Social isolation and loneliness had a major impact on many older people during the early parts of the Covid-19 pandemic, a new report has revealed.

Older adults have carried the greatest risk and burden of serious infection and ill-health from Covid-19. Globally, over 95% of Covid-related deaths have occurred among those over the age of 70.

In an attempt to keep people safe, a number of public health restrictions were introduced, including national lockdowns and social distancing. However, many people struggled with the abrupt disruption to everyday routines, social outlets and activities.

Researchers at the Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) at Trinity College Dublin (TCD) surveyed 4,000 people over the age of 60 to see how they coped with the pandemic between July and October 2020.

The report revealed that social isolation was a major issue for some, with participants regularly voicing that their greatest challenge was coping with loneliness brought about by the pandemic.

Some voiced their frustration at feeling neglected and disregarded by the media or public health commentators. Dislike of the word ‘cocooning’ was also frequently expressed.

Most participants had a strong desire to meet up with their children and grandchildren, as well as other family members and friends, while many spoke about their desire to re-engage with activities that had been suspended as a result of Covid.

Many of those who were working at the time of the pandemic spoke about the challenges of either losing their job or having to work increased hours because they were essential workers.

However, 20% indicated a capacity to cope or demonstrated resilience in the face of these challenges. They spoke of maintaining a positive outlook and had a sense of gratitude while adapting to public health measures.

For some, these positive dispositions served as coping strategies to help maintain participants’ wellbeing in challenging circumstances. The report also revealed the adaptability of some older adults, with many developing new skills and hobbies, using the lockdown to engage with new activities.

According to principal TILDA investigator, Prof Rose Anne Kenny, older adults have been “disproportionately impacted by the fallout of the COVID-19 crisis”.

“Disruptions to daily routines, an increasing sense of loneliness, isolation and fear, as well as increased risk of severe illness from the virus are just some of the ways older adults have been deeply impacted. Many have lost friends and loved ones and faced a loss of independence, separation from family and even ageism in the media and in many of the policy initiatives, all of which takes its toll on overall health and wellbeing,” she commented.

She argued that society needs to review its attitudes to ageing “and be alert to covert ageism in how we address or represent older people”.

“What, for example, are the implications of a ‘cocooning’ policy for those it affects? The covert message may be that the over-70s have less worth than others in society and therefore can be excluded from active participation, despite strong evidence to the contrary from TILDA and many other studies,” Prof Kenny said.

However, the study’s lead author, Dr Mark Ward of TILDA, noted that thanks to the rollout and huge uptake of the Covid vaccination programme, “hope and optimism are now returning to the lives of older adults”.

“TILDA’s report not only reveals lessons to be learned for the future, but offers important insights from the unique experiences and diverse perspectives of older adults impacted by the Covid-19 emergency,” he added.

The report, In Their Own Words: The Voices of Older People in the Covid-19 Pandemic, can be viewed here.