Impact of Social Isolation Due to COVID-19 on Daily Life Activities and Independence of People over 65: A Cross-Sectional Study

María Laura Frutos, David Pérez Cruzado, Dianna Lunsford, Santiago García Orza and Raquel Cantero-Téllez ()
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María Laura Frutos: Facultad Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba 5000, Argentina
David Pérez Cruzado: Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain
Dianna Lunsford: Health Sciences Faculty, Occupational Therapy Department, Gannon University, Ruskin, FL 33573, USA
Santiago García Orza: Hospital Comarcal de la Axarquía, 29700 Vélez-Málaga, Spain
Raquel Cantero-Téllez: Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidad de Málaga, 29071 Málaga, Spain

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 5, 1-11

Abstract: The mandatory confinement caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the older adult population. The main objective of this study is to assess independence in basic activities of daily living (BADL) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADDL) of people over 65 years of age during social, preventive, and compulsory isolation due to COVID-19, identifying and quantifying the activities of personal independence that present difficulties in their execution. Design: A cross-sectional study. Settings: Private’s health insurance Hospital, Córdoba, Argentina. Participants: A total of 193 participants with mean age of 76.56 years (121 women and 72 men) who met inclusion criteria were included in the study. Interventions: A personal interview was conducted between July and December 2020. Sociodemographic data were collected, and perceived independence was assessed. Outcomes measures: The Barthel index and the Lawton and Brody scale were used to assess independence of basic and instrumental activities of daily living. Results: Minimal limitations were noted with function. The activities that represented the greatest difficulties were going up and down stairs (22%) and moving around (18%), and the greatest difficulties in instrumental activities of daily living were shopping (22%) and preparing food (15%). Conclusions: COVID-19 has caused isolation, leading to functional limitations for many, especially older adults. Perceived declines in function and mobility may lead to decreased independence and safety for the older adult; therefore, preventative planning and programming should be considered.

Keywords: COVID-19; elderly; independence; activities of daily living (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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