Lockdown: Elderly suffer the most in times of coronavirus, survey reveals

Elderly are the worst affected among all during current lockdown situation due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, a survey conducted by Agewell Foundation has revealed. Over 5000 older persons across the country were contacted over the phone by Agewell volunteers to assess the lockdown impact on the elderly.

Key findings of the survey are:

-- 70 per cent elderly feared developing some medical complications due to current Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

-- Around 55 per cent respondents asserted that current lockdown situation was affecting their health condition.

-- 75 pr cent felt they missed the Healing Touch of their doctor as personal visits have stopped. 

-- 25 per cent felt lockdown did not affect their current health condition so far and  around 5 per cent of them said their health condition has been improving.

-- 44 per cent respondents said access to regular medicines/physiotherapy was most critical health challenge being faced by them.

-- 34% per cent respondents felt anxiety, sleeplessness, lack of appetite and lack of physical activity were most critical health challenges.

-- 54 per cent respondents felt their social life has been disturbed due to the lockdown. 71 per cent of these respondents felt fearful to meet anyone under current circumstances.
 
-- 54 per cent respondents were staying with their younger family members while 33 per cent were living with their respective spouse. 13 per cent were living all alone.

-- Lockdown helped bridging gaps for 45 per cent respondents who stayed with their children/grandchildren and other family members.

-- 52 per cent respondents admitted deterioration of relationship with family members particularly their children due to communication gap, ego conflict and different interests.

-- 23 per cent respondents blamed modern information technology and gadgets for troubled relationships

-- 31 per cent respondents claimed that financial dependence of elders on family members is the primary reason for bitter relationship

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Himanshu Rath, Founder Chairman of Agewell Foundation summarised the findings thus, "Due to the current Covid-19 lock down, most of the older persons are struggling and facing a peculiar situation in their life. Those who are living alone have practical problems and those who are living with families, have psychological issues. The elderly are getting depressed due to lack of assured medical & financial support, social interaction and lack of independence / self-respect / dignity."