Parfenova O.A. Older people during the COVID-19 pandemic in the big city: the example of St. Petersburg. Advances in Gerontology, 2020, Vol 33, No 6, pp. 1027–1031. DOI: 10.34922 ...

Abstract

One of the most vulnerable groups during the covid-19 pandemic was the older people. This is due not only to the danger of the disease itself and its consequences, but also to the conditions of quarantine restrictions. Based on the materials of 26 interviews with representatives of the older people (from 63 to 87 years old), we analyzed how older people experienced the pandemic in St. Petersburg. The interviews were collected from July to September 2020 by senior volunteers (60+) of the non-commercial organization House of Projects (St. Petersburg). The most difficult informants endured spatial isolation in their own apartments and the inability to take walks, maintain live communication, lack of reliable information about pamdemic. In the case of medical care, many were forced to cancel scheduled visits and examinations, postpone surgery indefinitely, and also experienced difficulties in obtaining prescription drugs, glasses and dental care. On the positive side during the quarantine period, elderly informants noted the development of youth volunteer movement and assistance, the development of mobile devices and online communication methods, and the establishment of closer emotional ties with relatives. In summary, we can say that the strict restrictions on leaving homes for the older people, and intimidation “from TV”, lack of reliable information, restrictions on access to health care, clearly observed during the quarantine period, do not correspond to the responsible care for citizens by state.