“I Can’t Take Any Chances”: A Mixed Methods Study of Frailty, Isolation, Worry, and Loneliness Among Aging Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Published in: Journal of applied gerontology Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 789 - 799
• Main Authors: Joseph, Carly A., Kobayashi, Lindsay C., Frain, Laura N., Finlay, Jessica M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01-05-2023; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aging; Coping strategies; COVID-19; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Frailty - epidemiology; Humans; Loneliness; Mixed Methods; Mixed methods research; Nutrition; Pandemics; Research methodology; Resilience; Social interaction; Social Isolation; Well being; frailty, mental health, mixed methods, person-centered care, risk perception
• ISSN: 0733-4648; 1552-4523
• DOI: 10.1177/07334648221147918

Little is known about how frailty has shaped experiences of living through the COVID-19 pandemic. In this cross-sectional mixed methods study, we analyzed data from the nationwide COVID-19 Coping Study from December 2020 through January 2021 (N = 2094 US adults aged ≥55) to investigate quantitative associations between frailty and the prevalence of physical isolation, worry about COVID-19, and loneliness. Reflexive thematic analysis explored aging adults’ lived experiences of frailty during the pandemic. In multivariable-adjusted population-weighted modified Poisson regression models, we found that frailty was associated with increased prevalence of physical isolation, worry about COVID-19, and loneliness. Qualitative experiences of aging with frailty during the pandemic were diverse, and encompassed isolation, worry, and loneliness, as well as coping strategies and resilience. The findings may inform individualized multi-factorial strategies (e.g., physical activity, nutrition, and social interaction) to support well-being among adults aging with frailty during the pandemic.