A Study To Assess The Quality Of Life Among Elderly In Relation To Covid-19 Pandemic In Selected Area Of Sonipat, Haryana State

ABSTRACT

The first case of the corona virus illness (COVID-19) was discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and India discovered its first case on January 30, 2020. As it expanded slowly over the world, several nations began to experience its effects. Because of its severity, the World Health Organization declared it a new pandemic on March 11, 2020. Although while all age groups were affected by Covid-19, some were shown to be particularly susceptible in terms of morbidity and death. Immune system deterioration is a common side effect of aging. Thus it only seems sense that older people are more impacted by COVID-19. According to the CDC (Centre for Disease Control), 8 out of every 10 fatalities in the US are caused by those 65 years of age or older. These results made it very evident that older people are sufficiently concerned about Covid-19 infection. Coupled with the limits imposed by the government as a result of the epidemic, several health concerns among the elderly population also surfaced. Physical health suffered from restricted access to medical services already in place, while elderly people's mentality suffered from the frightening environment brought on by the epidemic. Older people's social lives were also negatively impacted by lockup or Covid-19 restrictions. So, there is a strong assumption by researcher that the quality of life of elderly need to be assessed in present pandemic situation. Methodology: In this current study researcher adopted a quantitative approach with descriptive research design to investigate the research problem. The elderly was identified as a population whereas the elderlies of selected areas of Sonipat, Haryana identified as samples. Based on power analysis method researcher identified the sample size as 500 elderlies, which were recruited based on eligibility criteria of sample identification. RThe non-probability convenient sampling strategy was chosen by the researcher to assemble the study's sample. For the purpose of gathering pertinent information from study participants, research instruments were devised. These tools were divided into two categories socio-demographic factors, which collected baseline data on participants;and quality of life assessment measures, which were used to gauge research participants' quality of life. These tools were developed and verified by specialists, and a pilot study was used to evaluate their viability and dependability. Elderly people were given these instruments, and comprehensive data were gathered. The collected data were tabulated and analysed in SPSS version-23. Result(s) findings in regard to quality of life among elderly in relation to covid-19 have mentioned. It reflected that majority of elderlies 79.4% (397) were scored at poor level of quality of life whereas remaining 20.6% (103) found at average level of quality of life. The mean and standard deviation of quality of life among elderlies during Covid-19 was 89.45+/-19.74. In Section-IV the significant association in between quality of life among elderly with selected demographic variables were stated and it revealed that gender (4.266), education (10.483), family monthly income (8.662), working status of elderlies (4.065), and suffering with other disease (8.924) were significantly associated at 0.05 level of significance. Based on analysed data the research hypothesis H1 were accepted by investigator. Conclusion(s) Based on findings of the study, researcher concluded that majority of elderlies are facing poor level of quality of life in relation with Covid-19 pandemic and none of study participant found with good level of quality of life, which shows that current pandemic deeply influenced the life of elder population. Thus, the researcher advises that a process intervention be implemented to improve the aged population's quality of life during this difficult period of the Covid-19 epidemic.Copyright © 2022 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.