Analyzing the Elderly’s Quarantine-related Experiences in the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objectives The present study aimed to discover the lived experiences of the older adults from quarantine during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods & Materials This qualitative study employed a content analysis method. Sampling was performed in 10 subjects using a purposive sampling method and continued until data saturation. Semi-Structured face-to-face interviews were used to collect the necessary data. The texts of the interviews were analyzed by qualitative method. Results As a result of the interviews, the two main themes of negative outcomes with the sub-themes of illness anxiety, low mood, death anxiety, interpersonal conflicts, social isolation, treatment limitations, and reduced physical activity as well as the main themes of positive outcomes with the sub-theme of lifestyle improvements were discovered. Each of the above-mentioned themes had several supporting semantic units. Conclusion The themes discovered based on lived experience provided useful information about the effects of quarantine on biopsychological health and quality of life of the elderly;these characteristics can be considered in treatment planning and measures for this group.