Author(s): José,José Manuel Sousa de São ; Timonen,Virpi ; Teixeira,Ana Rita ; Amado,Carla Alexandra da Encarnação Filipe ; Santos,Sérgio Pereira dos ; Coelho,Patrícia Marina Paulo C. C. Severino
Date: 2022
Origin: SciELO Portugal
Subject(s): COVID-19; lockdown; loneliness; loss; one-person households
Abstract This article presents findings of a qualitative study reporting older adults’ experiences of solitary home confinement during Portugal’s first COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Home confinement was marked by negative experiences, with the exception of one participant who had a particularly favorable combination of resources and circumstances. Negative experiences involved losses in several areas, such as being deprived of out-of-home activities, independence and face-to-face social interactions. Losing out-of-home activities and independence promoted a sense of imprisonment, while losing face-to-face social interactions triggered a feeling of physical loneliness. Considering the potential negative implications of these losses, it is crucial to create innovative solutions that can mitigate them in future lockdowns.
