PACOVID, a population-based survey on the effects of the lockdown and the pandemic on the elderly: Preliminary results

Based on three ongoing epidemiological studies on aging, the PACOVID telephone survey was set up in the Bordeaux region a few days after the start of the first lockdown, with the aim of investigating the psychological and social repercussions of this pandemic on the elderly. This article presents the preliminary results. The most frequent response to the question “What are the main difficulties you are encountering during this period?” was “none.” Regarding the potential consequences of the pandemic, the participants were more worried about their loved ones than about themselves. Engaging in leisure activities and maintaining daily routines and activities were the most common coping strategies. Only a small number of respondents reported “poor” perceived health, and the most frequent responses to the items on sadness, loneliness, and depression from the CES-D scale were “never” or “very rarely.” One in four participants presented significant anxious symptomatology. Almost 90 percent felt socially supported, with around thirteen weekly phone calls, and almost 21 percent used a digital tool to communicate. The majority were aware of the causes and symptoms of COVID-19 and the protective measures, and displayed a positive attitude toward vaccination. Thus, contrasting with certain preconceived ideas, a growing number of studies, including PACOVID, have highlighted the potential resources and resilience capacities of the elderly, including those at a very advanced age, as well as demonstrating that they are well informed and aware of the pandemic threat.