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Changes in Daily Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic among South Korean Older Adults with Chronic Diseases: A Qualitative Study

Author

Listed:
  • Juah Kim

    (Department of Nursing, Korean Bible University, Seoul 01757, Korea)

  • Yeonghun Kim

    (Advanced Institute of Convergence Technology, Suwon 16229, Korea)

  • Jiyeon Ha

    (College of Nursing, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Korea)

Abstract

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults are considered a high-risk group and have been advised to stay home or practice social distancing. This qualitative study examined the effects of strong quarantine measures and social distancing on older adults’ lifestyles. The participants in this study were 13 people aged 65 and older with chronic diseases who resided in South Korean communities. Qualitative content analysis was conducted to interpret the data collected from in-depth interviews. Four themes and 13 subthemes were identified. The four themes were “lifestyle changes,” “increased cautiousness in daily life,” “psychological changes,” and “adaptation to life during the COVID-19 pandemic.” The participants followed quarantine rules strictly and noted lifestyle changes, such as increased time spent at home due to social distancing guidelines, a smaller radius of daily activity, and changes in exercise and dietary habits. They also reported increased caution toward other people and objects that other people interacted with due to their fear of COVID-19 infection. They expressed fear about COVID-19 infection and anxiety about COVID-19-related news, and they often felt bored and depressed; however, the participants accepted, endured, and gradually adapted to these lifestyle changes. Non-face-to-face community support is urgently needed for older adults facing reduced levels of physical activity and psychological hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Suggested Citation

  • Juah Kim & Yeonghun Kim & Jiyeon Ha, 2021. "Changes in Daily Life during the COVID-19 Pandemic among South Korean Older Adults with Chronic Diseases: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-14, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:13:p:6781-:d:581142
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    Cited by:

    1. Eugenie Sin Sing Tan & Shaun Ashley Fung Xian Chin & Manimeyapan S. Palaniappan Sathapan & Astrid Disimond Dewi & Farahnaz Amini & Normina Ahmad Bustami & Pui Yee Tan & Yu Bin Ho & Chung Keat Tan, 2023. "Mental Health and the COVID-19 Pandemic: Observational Evidence from Malaysia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-14, February.
    2. Kyoung Hwan Cho & Jeong-Beom Park & Yang Hun Jung, 2022. "Effects of Service Quality Characteristics of Neighborhood Sports Facilities on User Satisfaction and Reuse Intention of the Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Nirmala Devi & Lim Su Yin & Siow Yung Ern & Fathiah Athirah Haris & Abdullah Sallehhuddin Abdullah Salim, 2023. "Water Rationing, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Practices and Social Distancing at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Melaka, Malaysia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-20, November.
    4. Andy Pringle & Nicky Kime & Stephen Zwolinsky & Zoe Rutherford & Clare M. P. Roscoe, 2022. "An Investigation into the Physical Activity Experiences of People Living with and beyond Cancer during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-20, March.
    5. Di Xu & Chu Yan & Ziqing Zhao & Jiaying Weng & Shiwen Ma, 2021. "External Communication Barriers among Elderly Deaf and Hard of Hearing People in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Isolation: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-13, November.
    6. Abrar Tounsi & Shahad Alammar & Nassr Almaflehi & Mohamed Bamashmous & Abdullah Al Madani & Maria Salem Ibrahim, 2021. "Psychometric Validation of the Arabic Fear of Illness and Virus Evaluation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-15, August.
    7. Maria Salem Ibrahim & Hala Alibrahim & Abdullah Al Madani & Abdulaziz Alamri & Mohamed Bamashmous & Abrar Tounsi, 2021. "Fear Factor in Seeking Dental Care among Saudis during COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(20), pages 1-12, October.

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