Age UK research lays bare the drastic impact of the pandemic on our older population’s health and morale

As it launches its Winter Resilience Campaign, Age UK publishes new research that shows just how crushingly hard day to day life has been for millions of older people during the pandemic and how important it is that we support our older population through the winter.

The new research finds that some older people are coping with the pandemic, but a sizeable minority are finding life incredibly tough. Those who are not very well and have long term health conditions were particularly likely to report that this is an extremely challenging time for them.

The study shows that many older people are enduring increased and sometimes devastating levels of anxiety, in part because they know they are at serious risk from the virus – an invisible deadly enemy. Even during the summer, when restrictions were eased, many were too afraid to go out.

Months of being cooped up at home have led to muscle weakness – ‘deconditioning’ as clinicians term it - and sometimes a reduced sense of balance, increasing the risk of falls.

The research also found evidence of new and emerging cognitive decline. In some cases this might have happened anyway, but families told the Charity they feared it was exacerbated by the very difficult, often isolated conditions in which their loved ones were living, due to the pandemic.

The research also uncovered many examples of depression, loss of hope, low mood, lack of support for meal preparation, deteriorating physical health and increased pain due to untreated health conditions. These have impacted on some older people’s appetites and diets, which in turn threatened to weaken their resilience still further.

Other signs of the depressed state in which a sizeable minority of older people now found themselves, were their inability to gain pleasure from activities they usually enjoyed, and the fact they couldn’t muster the energy and enthusiasm to look after themselves, or their homes, to their usual standards.

Older people with pre-existing health conditions were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic so far and those who were shielding were about half as likely again to be feeling more anxious since lockdown than those who were not.

Seeing their loved ones deteriorate was causing families great anguish. They feared that what had been lost would never return. 

Given these findings it is not surprising that significant numbers of older people who took part in the research reported that they are deeply apprehensive about how they will cope this winter. And, longer term, they feared that life might never go back to normal or, if it does, that it will happen too late for them to benefit, especially if they are seriously unwell.  

In answer to polling questions about how their health and the way they felt had changed since the start of the pandemic six months ago:

• 1 in 3 respondents (4.2million) or 34% reported feeling more anxious since the start of the pandemic,
• 1 in 3 (4.4million) or 36% agreed they felt less motivated to do the things they enjoy,
• Over a quarter (3.2 million) or 26% can’t walk as far as they used to,
• 1 in 5 (2.4 million) or 20% are finding it harder to remember things,
• 1 in 5 (2.3 million) or 18% say they feel less steady on their feet,
•  2 in 3 (7.9million) or 64% felt less confident taking public transport, 2 in 5 (5.3 million) or 43% felt less confident going to the shops or 1 in 4 (3.3million) or 26% felt less  confident spending time with family.

Data from the ONS[i], collected at the end of September reinforce these findings. For example, the ONS found that two in five (39%) over 70s said they felt unsafe or very unsafe when outside of their home, due to the pandemic.

Caroline Abrahams, Age UK’s Charity Director, said: “This pandemic is tough for everyone, but older people have the added anxiety of knowing that for them the risks of catching Covid-19 are higher’.  We have rightly heard a lot about the enormous problems facing older people in care homes, but this new research reveals that life is extremely challenging for many cooped up for month after month in their own homes too.

“According to this research, as many as a third of all older people really are struggling and given the reluctance of this age group to admit their difficulties and ask for help we suspect that in reality the numbers affected are considerably higher – running into millions without doubt.

“Fear of the virus, loss of mental and physical capacity, loneliness and isolation, and an inability to grieve as normal for those they have lost add up to a potential public health emergency affecting many older people.

“Age UK was already committed to running a Winter Resilience Campaign to help our older population and as a Charity we will certainly do everything we can, but this research emphasises how important it is that we all rally round the older people in our lives, and that they take steps to keep themselves as fit and well as possible too. Our campaign is designed to help them do just that.

“This pandemic has hit the fast forward button on ageing for millions of older people. Helping them to get through this winter demands a collective effort and the right policies and support from Government, especially for those who are shielding, self-isolating or who lack a strong network of family and friends. The decisions the Government takes in the next few weeks will be crucial and we sincerely hope Ministers will resist the ageist siren calls to shut older people away and ‘let the virus rip’. Getting test and trace working properly is surely the only way of overcoming the dual threats to our health and our economy, and that’s where Government should focus its attention now.”  

Age UK is launching a new campaign aimed at supporting older people to get through winter at a time when they are most vulnerable. Age UK is urging everyone to stick together and not to forget the many older people who are still struggling and who face many challenges this winter.

We advise older people to:

1. Have a flu vaccination every year – the new vaccine introduced this year for people aged 65+ has an agent which helps boost the immune system and helps fight illnesses. If you are over 65 and haven’t had a pneumonia jab before you may be able to get one. Find out if you’re eligible when you have your flu jab.
   
   
2. Keep moving and eat well – try not to sit still for more than one hour at a time, even if you just move your arms and legs. If you can, stay active. Not only will it keep you fit and healthy, it will also generate heat to keep you warmer.
   
   If you are struggling with big meals try eating little and often. Something is better than nothing, even if the only thing you fancy is a slice a cake. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids too.
   
   
3. Contact your GP about any health concerns - if you feel unwell and you need to speak to a health professional please do. The coronavirus pandemic has resulted in fewer people accessing NHS services for a range of conditions that are not related to coronavirus. Be reassured that you won’t be a burden on the NHS and your GP will be able to help you.
   
   
4. Keep warm to stay well – heat your living room and your bedroom to a temperature that feels comfortable. Draw curtains in the evening to prevent heat loss, and tuck long curtains behind radiators so that heat isn’t trapped. Keep radiators and heaters clear of furniture and washing so the warm air can circulate and if there are rooms that are not in use turn off the radiators and heaters and close the doors. Use heating controls and timers to heat your home without wasting energy.
     
5. Call Age UK’s befriending services to help combat any feelings of loneliness. Read more here
   
   
6. Winter-proof your finances - Lots of us find winter an expensive time of year. Darker nights and cold weather often mean higher bills, plus the festive season can put a strain on your pocket. Age UK has some important information on how to get your home and your finances ready for winter - read more here. 

Age UK offers the following advice on how to look after ourselves during winter:
www.ageuk.org.uk/winter

ENDS

[i] ONS, Coronavirus and the social impacts on Great Britain, collected 24-27 September. Source. 

To understand how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted on older people’s physical and mental health we have consulted with older people, their friend’s, families, and loved ones. Our research was made up of:

• A survey promoted across the Age UK social media channels for two weeks in August 2020. The survey was completed by nearly 570 people- 369 respondents were older people themselves and 200 answered on behalf of an older person.
• Representative online polling of 1,364 people over the age of 60, conducted by Kantar Polling in September 2020. Of the people polled, nearly half were over the age of 70 and 40% were already living with a long-term condition before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• The ‘voices’ or comments featured in the press release were taken from the online survey.

About Research Express

Research Express provides quick, reliable market research. Our scale and advanced operational capabilities saves our clients both time and money. Research Express is part of Kantar UK Ltd.

The survey was conducted on the Research Express Online Omnibus amongst 1364 UK adults aged 60+ from 20 August – 3 September 2020.