The Overly Sensitive Nature of Aged Family Inmates as a Socio-Cultural Barrier to Combat Covid-19

Abstract

Human history is full of evidence showing a larger number of human and animal populations got affected by infectious diseases, viruses, and bacteria. Like previous life-threatening pandemics, coronavirus appeared to be a deadly virus in 2019 and declared as pandemic in 2020 by WHO. As per Global Reports, senior citizens have been most vulnerable to the corona virus attacks. This paper explores the experiences of family members dealing with elderly at home in the midst of the Covid-19 outbreak and how they managed them keeping in view their mindset on disease and socio-cultural constraints. For this purpose, qualitative research methods were adopted. 20 participants were selected for the in-depth interviews through purposive sampling. Following themes generated as a result of the data analysis: stubborn and rigid behavior of elderly, emotionally complex reactions, socio-cultural barriers, and traditional approach to the disease. Findings depicted the most common social cultural barriers in dealing with the difficult nature of elderly people are family ties, religious norms, respect, and empathy towards elderly people. Further, research findings highlighted major sentiments of older adults comprise attachment towards their grandchildren, feeling of insecurity, feeling of getting stigmatized, considering themselves as a virus spreader and feeling of being left out. It was found that older adults felt stigmatized, lonely, left out and considered SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as imposed remedial steps. Overall, it was found that at older age people express more anxiety and fear towards loneliness. Findings will help in sensitizing policy makers to design awareness sessions, religious and other home-based social activities for elderly people to combat stress related to loneliness in older age.

Keywords

• pandemic
• socio-cultural barriers
• aged- family inmates
• stubborn behavior