ABSTRACT
This research investigated whether consistent practice with a simple, low-cost physical activity intervention could lead to behavior change in older adults and, correspondingly, create a personal acknowledgement of this change. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in addition to recognized forms of walking activities, the researchers sought to achieve the fullest possible exposure to data collection tools for the participants to ascertain and confirm behavior change at the conclusion of a twelve-week study. Study participants were either already associated with various New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc. track and field sporting events or casual walkers who were not affiliated with New Mexico Senior Olympics, Inc. Further, the researchers attempted to show an association between the study participants' intervention results and component steps of a new aging concept, which focuses on awareness, desire to participate, willingness to engage, commitment, knowledge, ability, and epiphany. This research was conducted in its entirety during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic old age has been "vulnerablilized" in the media by characterizing old age as a vulnerable and risky phase of life. Gerontologists have criticized the age-based definition of risk groups for their underlying agism. OBJECTIVE: From a practice-theoretical perspective the article asks through which social practices a vulnerable age is realized during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The article refers to data from six qualitative interviews with people aged 65 and older. The data was analyzed using fine structure analysis followed by a topic analysis. RESULTS: The results show that during the COVID-19 pandemic doing age was characterized by a not doing or the disappearance of routinized everyday practices. For the respondents this not doing age was connected to experiencing vulnerable ageing, in which they felt physically and temporally vulnerable. DISCUSSION: Practices of aging during the COVID-19 pandemic have developed against the backdrop of a societal discourse that has positioned activity as an indicator of good and positive aging. At the same time few opportunities have been created to maintain activity under the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Subject(s)
Ageism , COVID-19 , Humans , COVID-19/epidemiology , Pandemics , Aging , GeriatriciansABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Media sources have consistently described older adults as a medically vulnerable population during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, yet a lack of concern over their health and safety has resulted in dismissal and devaluation. This unprecedented situation highlights ongoing societal ageism and its manifestations in public discourse. This analysis asks how national news sources performed explicit and implicit ageism during the first month of the pandemic. METHOD: Using content and critical discourse analysis methods, we analyzed 287 articles concerning older adults and COVID-19 published between March 11 and April 10, 2020, in 4 major U.S.-based newspapers. RESULTS: Findings indicate that while ageism was rarely discussed explicitly, ageist bias was evident in implicit reporting patterns (e.g., frequent use of the term "elderly," portrayals of older adults as "vulnerable"). Infection and death rates and institutionalized care were among the most commonly reported topics, providing a limited portrait of aging during the pandemic. The older "survivor" narrative offers a positive alternative by suggesting exceptional examples of resilience and grit. However, the survivor narrative may also implicitly place blame on those unable to survive or thrive in later life. DISCUSSION: This study provides insight for policy makers, researchers, and practitioners exploring societal perceptions of older adults and how these perceptions are disseminated and maintained by the media.