Abstract:

The Covid-19 pandemic, which negatively affects almost every age group around the world, has affected middle-aged and older individuals more than other age groups. In this study, which was conducted using a qualitative research design to learn the experiences of the elderly in this process, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 11 elderly people aged 65 and over who lived alone in the Covid-19 process in Ankara. The data collected through the semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers were analyzed using the MAXQDA 2020 package program. According to the results of the research, 6 themes are “experiences of the elderly regarding the Covid-19 process”, “problems faced by the elderly during the Covid-19 process”, “social isolation and loneliness”, “the strategies of the elderly to cope with Covid-19” and “service expectations of the elderly”. determined. According to the results of the research, the experiences of the elderly during the pandemic process vary according to their individual and social characteristics, their material and moral resources, and their health status. However, one of the most important problems is not being able to meet with the immediate environment, among the social support mechanisms are the support offered by family, neighbors and the public.

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