Changes in Daily Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic among South Korean Older Adults with Chronic Diseases: A Qualitative Study

Juah Kim, Yeonghun Kim and Jiyeon Ha
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Juah Kim: Department of Nursing, Korean Bible University, Seoul 01757, Korea
Yeonghun Kim: Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Suwon 16229, Korea
Jiyeon Ha: College of Nursing, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 13, 1-14

Abstract: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults are considered a high-risk group and have been advised to stay home or practice social distancing. This qualitative study examined the effects of strong quarantine measures and social distancing on older adults’ lifestyles. The participants in this study were 13 people aged 65 and older with chronic diseases who resided in South Korean communities. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to interpret the data collected from in-depth interviews. Four themes and 13 subthemes were identified. The four themes were “lifestyle changes,” “increased cautiousness in daily life,” “psychological changes,” and “adaptation to life during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The participants followed quarantine rules strictly and noted lifestyle changes, such as increased time spent at home due to social distancing guidelines, a smaller radius of daily activity, and changes in exercise and dietary habits. They also reported increased caution toward other people and objects that other people interacted with due to their fear of COVID-19 infection. They expressed fear about COVID-19 infection and anxiety about COVID-19-related news, and they often felt bored and depressed; however, the participants accepted, endured, and gradually adapted to these lifestyle changes. Non-face-to-face community support is urgently needed for older adults facing reduced levels of physical activity and psychological hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; lifestyle; chronic disease; aged; qualitative research (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (7)

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