Final Year Project

Project Title

Understanding the impact of COVID-19 preventive measures on social connections and well-being among older adults

Description

With the imposition of a nation-wide lockdown and social distancing measures in place, people had to withdraw from their normal lives and practice social distancing all while the social, financial and, health related consequences of the pandemic were simultaneously becoming apparent. The social disconnect as a result of preventive measure, can have serious implications on physical and mental health; especially during stressful and uncertain times when social contact can act as a buffer against adversity and suffering. In less individualized societies like ours, where rough times highlight old and new ways to sustain collective solidarity, the term ‘social distancing’ itself can be perceived as problematic in social and cultural contexts. This paper attempts to decode older adults’ understanding of ‘social distancing’, its impact on their routine, implications on well-being and coping mechanisms.