["You have to take it that way." A study of the subjective experience of the corona pandemic by older people in need of help and care living at home].

BACKGROUND

As older people are at increased risk of severe and fatal courses of SARS-CoV‑2 infection, they receive special attention, which, however, often refers one-sidedly to their need for protection. What is needed is a discussion that considers the subjective reality and resources as well as risks.

OBJECTIVE

The study focused on the perspectives of older people. The aim was to shed light on their subjective experience of the corona pandemic. The questions were how they experienced the pandemic, the risks, consequences and protective measures, to what extent these affected their everyday life and how they dealt with it.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 12 guideline-based telephone interviews were conducted in May and June 2020 with 9 women and 3 men between 77 and 91 years of age, who lived in their own homes, had impaired health and needed help and care. The data were evaluated by structuring content analysis.

RESULTS

The respondents were generally concerned about the corona pandemic but considered their own risk to be low. They saw themselves as hardly affected by the immediate consequences of the crisis or severely restricted in their everyday lives. They experienced insecurity in social life and fear of loneliness was central. Overall, they considered the protective measures to be appropriate but criticized early cancelling, family contact restrictions and dealing with the dying.

CONCLUSION

A moderate degree of direct personal involvement, acceptance and adaptability characterized the experience and handling of the corona pandemic. Resources and skills in dealing with the crisis become visible.