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Gerontology

Social Support for Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A new study has shed light on how older adults without traditional family ties coped with the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers from North Dakota State University investigated the social relationships of eight older adults without direct access to family ties during the first two years of the pandemic. The study found that these individuals conceptualized their social relationships in unique ways, including developing fictive kin from neighbors, colleagues, and friends.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that older adults without access to traditional family ties used technology to overcome distance barriers and stay connected with loved ones.
  • The researchers identified three overarching themes: constraints of place, redefining family, and feelings of isolation and closeness.
  • Constraints of place referred to the challenges of socializing with family members living far away, while redefining family involved developing new social relationships through alternative forms of communication.
  • Feelings of isolation and closeness highlighted the impact of physical distancing on social connections, with some participants feeling lonely and others reporting increased closeness due to alternative forms of communication.
  • The study suggested that fictive kin forms played a crucial role in maintaining social connections during the pandemic, particularly for those without access to traditional family ties.
  • The findings of this study shed light on the importance of social support for older adults during times of crisis.
  • The researchers suggested that their findings could inform strategies for promoting social connection among older adults lacking traditional family support.
  • Key contributors to this research include Bryce Van Vleet, Emily Kinkade, Heather Fuller, and Andrea Huseth-Zosel.

Statistics:

  • 8 older adults without direct access to traditional family ties were identified and interviewed as part of this study.
  • The interviews were conducted between April 2020 and June 2022.
  • The participants conceptualized their social relationships in unique ways, including developing fictive kin from neighbors, colleagues, and friends (n = 6).
  • The study found that 5 participants relied on technology to stay connected with loved ones living far away.
  • 2 participants reported feeling lonely due to physical distancing, while 3 participants reported increased closeness due to alternative forms of communication.
  • The study's findings were published in the journal Innovation in Aging in 2022.

Sources:

  • Lacking Family Ties During A Global Pandemic: Older Adults Conceptualizations of Social Support. Innovation in Aging, 2022,6(Supplement_1).
  • https://academic.oup.com/innovateage
  • Published by Oxford University Press (OUP)

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