Identifying the needs of our older community-based patients in the COVID era: A telephone survey

• Published in: Aging and health research 2022-06, Vol.2 (2), p.100073-100073, Article 100073
• Main Authors: Chróinín, Danielle Ní, Hunter, Carol Lu, Shaw-Jones, Michaela, Duruchukwu, Esther, Huang, Frank, Ngov, Amy, Wang, Ashley, Yu, Alex, Shé, É Ní
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Community care; COVID-19; Social support; Surveys and questionnaires
• ISSN: 2667-0321; 2667-0321
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ahr.2022.100073

•Vulnerability during a pandemic extends to issues such as social connectedness, access to healthcare, and information delivery.•Efforts to reduce isolation and maximize social connectedness- despite physical distancing- are important in a pandemic context.•Technological advances may promote telehealth or social connections, but may not be practical or acceptable to all older people.•Patient preferences and resources should be considered when communication and consultations are being planned. Older people's vulnerability during a pandemic may extend to social connectedness, access to healthcare, and information delivery. We sought to identify whether and how older community-based patients are maintaining connections and accessing information during COVID-19. We administered a telephone questionnaire to all patients (or carer/proxy answering ‘on patient's behalf’) who previously attended our Geriatric Medicine clinic, May-December 2019. Response rate was 58.8% (151/257), carer respondents comprising 23.8% (36/151). Mean patient age was 81.8 years (SD 8.6); 59.6% were female, 15.2% lived alone. English was the preferred language for 72.9% (110/151). Almost half (46.4%, 70/151) felt COVID-related restrictions had impacted them. Thirty-eight percent (58/151) reported feelings of social isolation, most (38/58) reporting this new since COVID. Nonetheless, 92.1% (139/151) reported maintaining social connections, all with family (139/139), less often with friends (69.8%, 97/139). COVID-related information sources included television 68.9% (104/151), family/friends (54.3%), healthcare providers (24.5%), and written sources (21.2%, 32/151); 12.6% used online resources. Increasing age lowered likelihood of accessing online information, while having smartphone/computer increased. Most (82.6%) believed their healthcare needs were being met, and 76.1% had accessed their GP, 87% (100/115) in-person. Only 33.1% (50/151) agreed telehealth acceptable, more often those with smartphone/computer (OR 2.15, p=0.04). Interventions to reduce isolation and optimize connectedness and healthcare- despite physical distancing- are important during COVID-19. During a rapidly evolving pandemic, healthcare delivery and information provision to our older population is likely best served by a multifaceted approach which acknowledges identified preferences, practices and barriers.