The anxiety and loneliness levels of geriatric population in-home quarantine during COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey

Abstract

Objective: Mortality rates of COVID-19 are higher among the elderly. Curfews have been imposed on individuals aged 65 and older to reduce contact with other people. We aimed to determine anxiety and loneliness levels and associated factors of individuals aged 65 and over in-home quarantine. Method: We determined sociodemographic, clinical features, information status on COVID-19 pandemic, geriatric anxiety scale and loneliness scale for the elderly values of 290 individuals (65-90 years old) in Turkey. Results: The mean age was 71.2 +/- 5.9 years, and 54.8% were male(n: 159). 87.6% followed COVID-19 process, and 88.3% received the information from the television. 14.1% reported significant worries about the individuals in their family, 14.1% about their social life, and 19.7% about their economic situation. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the geriatric anxiety and the loneliness scale(r: 0.498, p: 0.001). Anxiety scores were increased 1.29 fold by loneliness scores, 3.56 fold by having a chronic disease and 3.26 fold by the history of a psychiatric disorder. Discussion: We suggest that quarantine increases anxiety and loneliness levels in geriatric population with a positive correlation between anxiety and loneliness levels. Having a chronic disease and History of a psychiatric disorder was also associated with anxiety levels. The majority of concerns is about their family members, future social and economic lives. It has been observed that television has become an essential source of information in the pandemic for the geriatric population. Authorities should meet the psychosocioeconomic needs of elderly individuals, and correct information should be provided.