The Abu Dhabi Experience of COVID-19 Lockdown and Elderly Challenges and Concerns – Time Before the Vaccines

Conference: The European Conference on Aging & Gerontology (EGen2022)
Title: The Abu Dhabi Experience of COVID-19 Lockdown and Elderly Challenges and Concerns – Time Before the Vaccines
Stream: Loneliness
Presentation Type: Live-Stream Presentation
Authors:
Masood Badri, Abu Dhabi Department of Community Development and UAE University, United Arab Emirates
Mugheer Al Khaili, Department of Community Development, United Arab Emirates
Guang Yang, Department of Community Development, United Arab Emirates
Muna Al Bahar, Department of Community Development and UAE University, United Arab Emirates
Asma Al Rashdi, Department of Community Development, United Arab Emirates
Layla Alhyas, Department of Community Development, United Arab Emirates

Abstract:

This research focuses on the elderly in Abu Dhabi during the COVID-19 pandemic before the vaccines. Then, Elderlies faced more strict isolations and lockdowns that might have resulted in certain social counter-reactions. The study uses data from an online survey of COVID-19 conducted during April, May, and June of 2020. The objective is to understand better the concerns and challenges, including social isolation (and loneliness), technology awareness, health and psychological self-perception, and physical challenges (i.e., weight increases) that elderlies in Abu Dhabi felt during the pandemic. The analysis uses a more descriptive approach with some analysis of variance methods. Results show that regardless of age, some negative feelings were common during the pandemic. However, in general, elderlies reacted more positively than younger citizens concerning self-perceived psychological feelings, including fear, sadness, stress, irritability, emotional exhaustion, depressive symptoms, sleeping disorder, overeating, and excessive screen use. Concerning the effect of time during the pandemic, only sleeping disorders and overeating showed significant differences. The two developments raised the concerns of elderlies’ were identified as the restrictions imposed on elderlies and not seeing children and grandchildren whenever desired or wanted. The number of family members living with the elderly’s had the most significant effects concerning restrictions to be in public places and not seeing children and grandchildren compared to the time before that pandemic.



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