The roles and routines of well-elderly Gozitans during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The present study investigates the effects of COVID-19 on the roles and routines of well-elderly Gozitans living in the community. The geriatric population was deemed as vulnerable during the initial outbreak of COVID-19 on the Maltese islands, leading them to having to undergo a compulsory lockdown. Prior to the pandemic, the geriatric population have already been proven to experience more loneliness and isolation. Method: Nine female participants sixty years and older were interviewed within an Active Ageing Day Centre. The semi-structured interviews consisted of seventeen questions; seven were in relation to roles, routines, volition and habituation, six were about physical, mental and social well-being and four were related to awareness about services in the community. Results: The participants, overall, showed how social isolation had a negative effect on their general well-being, most notably their mental health therefore negatively affecting their ability of carry out their routines but then maintaining their roles. However, the clients were less willing to discuss their mental health when asked directly due to it being stigmatised and associated with dependency on others. The data also expressed a lack of use of services available in Gozo due to the lack of awareness and/or unwillingness to depend on others. Discussion: This study highlights the importance of having community-based occupational therapy services in Gozo, bettering the services offered by the Ministry for Gozo and carrying out further research on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the geriatric population on the Maltese islands and how the evolving role of an occupational therapist can be beneficial for them.