COVID - 19; ageism; older adults; qualitative study; quarantine; Aged; Aging; France/epidemiology; Humans; Pandemics; Quarantine; SARS-CoV-2; Ageism; COVID-19; France; Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Abstract :
[en] In February 2021, France had more than 76,000 deaths due to COVID-19 and older adults were heavily affected. Most measures taken to reduce the impact of COVID-19 (quarantine, visit ban in nursing home, etc.) significantly influenced the lives of older adults. Yet they were rarely consulted about their implementation. Exclusion of and discrimination against older adults has been accentuated during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many articles discussing COVID-19 also mention ageism, few actually incorporate the perspectives and opinions of older adults. Our research aims to assess the ageism experienced by older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted interviews with older adults (63-92 years, mean age = 76 years) in an urban area of France. Participants reported experiencing more ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hostile and benevolent ageism from older adults' families. Despite reports of experiencing ageist attitudes and behaviors from others, however, older adults also identified positive signs of intergenerational solidarity during this COVID-19 crisis.
Disciplines :
Social, industrial & organizational psychology Social & behavioral sciences, psychology: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Barth, Nathalie; SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Gérontopole AURA, Saint-Etienne, France
Guyot, Jessica; SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France
Fraser, Sarah Anne; Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Lagacé, Martine; The Department of Communication, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
Adam, Stéphane ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Adaptation, Résilience et CHangement (ARCH)
Gouttefarde, Pauline; Gérontopole AURA, Saint-Etienne, France
Goethals, Luc; SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France
Bechard, Lauren; Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada
Bongue, Bienvenu; SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Support and Education Technic Centre of Health Examination Centres (CETAF), Saint Etienne, France
Fundenberger, Hervé; SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France
Célarier, Thomas; Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France ; Gérontopole AURA, Saint-Etienne, France ; Department of Clinical Gerontology, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France
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