A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that the challenges posed to aging adults – many of whom were alone in their homes during the pandemic – increased their self-efficacy. When asked, many reported feeling an increased confidence to age-in-place, a priority for the majority of older people.
According to the study, “COVID-19 restrictions forced older adults to fend for themselves and live in isolation or risk facing a deadly virus. Prior to COVID-19, many older adults may have assumed they would be able to live independently but may have had reservations or self-doubt about being completely cut-off from loved ones.”
After the restrictions eased, many older Americans overcame any lingering self-doubt, understanding fully what being homebound entails. They managed the situation effectively.
“Older adults likely felt that they could manage anything—including future homebound scenarios. …[and] exhibited a stronger belief that they could manage aging-in-place effectively,” according to the study.
An AARP study found that about 77% of people polled over the age of 50 wanted to remain in their homes for the long term. This number, according to the study, has remained consistent for more than a decade.
