Social, Resource, and Institution Disruptions and the Evolving Lives of Economically Vulnerable Older Adults: Implications for Policies and Programs in the New Normal

Abstract

This article focuses on the impact of pandemic-related reorganization on the lived experiences of economically vulnerable older adults receiving food assistance. Thematic analysis of life narrative interviews from ninety older adults suggests three focal types of disruptions produced by policy, program, and system innovations: social, resource, and institutional. For the majority of study participants, modified or reduced social support, increased need for material resources, and changing institutions, programs, and policies have created significant disruptions in their lives at an age when capacity for adaptation is diminished. Understanding the impact of these disruptions is important to inform policies and programs that will emerge in the post-pandemic era. Efforts to protect vulnerable seniors have also decreased opportunities to access channels for communicating their needs.

Keywords

• food insecurity
• older adults
• covid-19
• narrative gerontology