COVID-19 and Quarantine, a Catalyst for Ageism

Frontiers in Public Health

Thomas Célarier¹  Lauren Bechard²  Sarah Anne Fraser³  Pauline Gouttefarde⁴  Hervé Fundenberger⁵  Jessica Guyot⁵  Luc Goethals⁵  Nathalie Barth⁶  Bienvenu Bongue⁷  Martine Lagacé⁸  Stéphane Adam⁹ 

[1] Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France;Gérontopole AURA, Saint-Etienne, France;Department of Clinical Gerontology, University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, Saint-Etienne, France;Department of Kinesiology, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada;Faculty of Health Sciences, Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada;Gérontopole AURA, Saint-Etienne, France;SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France;Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France;SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France;Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France;Gérontopole AURA, Saint-Etienne, France;SAINBIOSE Laboratory U1059 INSERM, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France;Chaire Santé des Ainés, University of Jean Monnet, Saint-Etienne, France;Support and Education Technic Centre of Health Examination Centres (CETAF), Saint Etienne, France;The Department of Communication, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada;Unité de Psychologie de la Sénescence, Université de Liège, Liège, Belgium;

关键词: COVID - 19;    ageism;    qualitative study;    older adults;    quarantine;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpubh.2021.589244

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

In February 2021, France had more than 76,000 deaths due to COVID-19 and older adults were heavily affected. Most measures taken to reduce the impact of COVID-19 (quarantine, visit ban in nursing home, etc.) significantly influenced the lives of older adults. Yet they were rarely consulted about their implementation. Exclusion of and discrimination against older adults has been accentuated during the COVID-19 pandemic. While many articles discussing COVID-19 also mention ageism, few actually incorporate the perspectives and opinions of older adults. Our research aims to assess the ageism experienced by older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted interviews with older adults (63–92 years, mean age = 76 years) in an urban area of France. Participants reported experiencing more ageism during the COVID-19 pandemic, including hostile and benevolent ageism from older adults' families. Despite reports of experiencing ageist attitudes and behaviors from others, however, older adults also identified positive signs of intergenerational solidarity during this COVID-19 crisis.

【 授权许可】

CC BY