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Conversations in Times of Isolation: Exploring Rural-Dwelling Older Adults’ Experiences of Isolation and Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Manitoba, Canada

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  • Rachel V. Herron

    (Department of Geography and Environment, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada)

  • Nancy E. G. Newall

    (Department of Psychology, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada)

  • Breanna C. Lawrence

    (Educational Psychology, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada)

  • Doug Ramsey

    (Department of Rural Development, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada)

  • Candice M. Waddell

    (Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Brandon University, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada)

  • Jennifer Dauphinais

    (Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health, Brandon, MB R7A 6A9, Canada)

Abstract

Older adults have been described as a vulnerable group in the current context of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Canada, where this study took place, older adults have been encouraged to self-isolate while the rest of the population has been cautioned against in-person contact with them. Prior to COVID-19, social isolation and loneliness among older adults was considered a serious public health concern. Using a series of semi-structured interviews with 26 community-dwelling older adults (65+) living in rural Manitoba, we explore older adults’ experiences of isolation and loneliness in the initial stages of the pandemic between the months of May and July 2020. Participants identified a loss of autonomy, loss of activities and social spaces (e.g., having coffee or eating out, volunteering, and going to church), and lack of meaningful connection at home as factors influencing their sense of isolation and loneliness. Although these loses initially influenced participants’ self-reported isolation and loneliness, the majority developed strategies to mitigate isolation and loneliness, such as drawing on past experiences of isolation, engaging in physically distanced visits, connecting remotely, and “keeping busy.” Our findings call attention to the role of different environments and resources in supporting older adults social and emotional wellbeing, particularly as they adapt to changes in social contact over time.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel V. Herron & Nancy E. G. Newall & Breanna C. Lawrence & Doug Ramsey & Candice M. Waddell & Jennifer Dauphinais, 2021. "Conversations in Times of Isolation: Exploring Rural-Dwelling Older Adults’ Experiences of Isolation and Loneliness during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Manitoba, Canada," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-14, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:6:p:3028-:d:517515
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Verena H Menec & Nancy E Newall & Corey S Mackenzie & Shahin Shooshtari & Scott Nowicki, 2019. "Examining individual and geographic factors associated with social isolation and loneliness using Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 14(2), pages 1-18, February.
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    5. Peter Kitchen & Allison Williams & James Chowhan, 2012. "Sense of Community Belonging and Health in Canada: A Regional Analysis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 107(1), pages 103-126, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Herron, Rachel V. & Lawrence, Breanna C. & Newall, Nancy E.G. & Ramsey, Doug & Waddell- Henowitch, Candice M. & Dauphinais, Jennifer, 2022. "Rural older adults’ resilience in the context of COVID-19," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).

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