Journal
JOURNAL OF AGING AND HEALTH
Volume 33, Issue 7-8, Pages 458-468Publisher
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC
DOI: 10.1177/0898264321991314
Keywords
COVID-19; older adults; health-related quality of life; pandemic; quarantine
Categories
Funding
- National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health [R01AG060992]
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The early mitigation orders for COVID-19 had a significant impact on the functioning of older adults participating in community-based exercise intervention studies, resulting in increased anxiety, decreased fatigue, and social participation. The disruption of daily life caused by stay-at-home orders was a major theme identified in the study, along with unexpected positive outcomes.
Background: Early mitigation orders for COVID-19 halted participation in community-based programs. We examined the early impact of Stay Home, Stay Healthy orders on functioning in older adults participating in a behavioral intervention study involving community-based exercise. Methods: A quasi-natural experiment, using mixed methods (n = 39). Participants completed interviews and questionnaires after 3-4 weeks of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy directive. PROMIS-29 outcomes were compared to pre-COVID-19 responses. Results: Participants had a mean age of 74.1 (6.5) years, 79.5% were women, and 20.5% were racial/ethnic minorities. Compared to pre-COVID-19, there was a significant increase in anxiety and decrease in fatigue and social participation. Thematic analysis revealed five main themes related to disruption of daily life, the emotional and physical impact of stay-at-home orders, unexpected positive outcomes, and perspectives on messaging surrounding the pandemic. Conclusions: Efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 have substantially impacted the lives of older adults participating in community-based exercise.
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