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Bailey L, Ward M, DiCosimo A, Baunta S, Cunningham C, Romero-Ortuno R, Kenny RA, Purcell R, Lannon R, McCarroll K, Nee R, Robinson D, Lavan A, Briggs R. Physical and mental health of older people while cocooning during the COVID-19 pandemic. QJM 2021; 114:648-653. [PMID: 33471128 PMCID: PMC7928635 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcab015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cocooning or shielding, i.e. staying at home and reducing face-to-face interaction with other people, was an important part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic for older people. However, concerns exist regarding the long-term adverse effects cocooning may have on their physical and mental health. AIM To examine health trajectories and healthcare utilization while cocooning in a cohort of community-dwelling people aged ≥70 years. DESIGN Survey of 150 patients (55% female, mean age 80 years and mean Clinical Frailty Scale Score 4.8) attending ambulatory medical services in a large urban university hospital. METHODS The survey covered four broad themes: access to healthcare services, mental health, physical health and attitudes to COVID-19 restrictions. Survey data were presented descriptively. RESULTS Almost 40% (59/150) reported that their mental health was 'worse' or 'much worse' while cocooning, while over 40% (63/150) reported a decline in their physical health. Almost 70% (104/150) reported exercising less frequently or not exercising at all. Over 57% (86/150) of participants reported loneliness with 1 in 8 (19/150) reporting that they were lonely 'very often'. Half of participants (75/150) reported a decline in their quality of life. Over 60% (91/150) agreed with government advice for those ≥70 years but over 40% (61/150) reported that they disliked the term 'cocooning'. CONCLUSIONS Given the likelihood of further restrictions in coming months, clear policies and advice for older people around strategies to maintain social engagement, manage loneliness and continue physical activity and access timely medical care and rehabilitation services should be a priority.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Bailey
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - M Ward
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - A DiCosimo
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - S Baunta
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - C Cunningham
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - R Romero-Ortuno
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - R A Kenny
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - R Purcell
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - R Lannon
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - K McCarroll
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - R Nee
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - D Robinson
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - A Lavan
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
| | - R Briggs
- From the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 1, Ireland
- The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, Trinity College, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Department of Medical Gerontology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin 1, Ireland
- Address correspondence to Dr R. Briggs, The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA), Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing, St James’s Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland.
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