COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND ITS PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPACT ON THE AGED

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study is to examine COVID-19 pandemic and its psychosocial impact on the aged in Ekosodin Community of Ovia north east local government area of Edo State. The study had four objectives which were to: To explore their level of awareness and knowledge of COVID-19 transmission among the older adults; To evaluate their perception of government's COVID19 directive on family care; To identify the factors that affected mental health and wellbeing of older adults during COVID-19 pandemic; To investigate the coping strategies they employed to sustain themselves during COVID-19 pandemic. A total of one hundred and twenty respondents were randomly selected from Ekosodin Community, Ovia north east Local Government of Edo State. Data gotten on the demographic characteristics of respondents, Through the research, The majority of the elderly people encountered some sort of psychological and mental health related issue, which the researcher attribute to the increased vulnerability of the elderly to social isolation and higher chance of diseases. To this end, it is important for the medical and social communities to be alert on the possibility of geriatric patients experiencing mental health issues. It was also stressed that social workers and non governmental organizations (NGOs) play a more significant role in raising awareness and facilitating care if they collaborated more closely.