Navigating infodemics, unlocking social capital and maintaining food security during the COVID-19 first wave in UK: older adults' experiences

Brown, H. and Reid, K. (2021) Navigating infodemics, unlocking social capital and maintaining food security during the COVID-19 first wave in UK: older adults' experiences. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(14), 7220. (doi: 10.3390/ijerph18147220) (PMID:34299671) (PMCID:PMC8306598)

Abstract

In March 2020, a national UK lockdown was implemented in response to rapidly rising COVID-19 infections. Those experiencing the most severe public health restrictions were ‘shielding’ groups as well as those over 70 years of age. Older age adults, many of whom were active, independent, and socially connected were immediately instructed to stay at home, to limit all external social contact and consider contingency for maintaining personal food security and social contact. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of older adults during the first UK lockdown (March–June 2020), specifically how our sample reacted to public health messaging, staying food secure and drawing on available social capital within their community. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with eight participants. In addition, twenty-five participants completed a qualitative ‘open-ended’ survey. The data was collated and analysed, adopting a Thematic Analysis informed approach. Three themes were identified: (1) Too Much Information, (2) The Importance of Neighbours and Connections and (3) Not Wishing to be a Burden. These findings offer a rich insight into how early lockdown measures, never witnessed since World War 2, exposed existing pre-pandemic inequalities and concerns relating to loneliness, isolation and wellbeing. The findings are of relevance to researchers, older adult advocate groups and policy makers to inform post COVID-recovery within communities to ensure healthy ageing.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reid, Dr Kate
• Authors: Brown, H., and Reid, K.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education; College of Social Sciences > School of Education > People, Place & Social Change
• Journal Name: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Publisher: MDPI
• ISSN: 1661-7827
• ISSN (Online): 1660-4601
• Published Online: 06 July 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(14):7220
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence