Old dogs can learn new tricks. Loro viejo sí aprende a hablar. Evidence from the United Kingdom and Colombia.

Abstract

Objective: Older adults have been impacted more than most by the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide. We identify how older adults have adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom and Colombia.Method: We investigated how older people in the United Kingdom and Colombia adapted to the pandemic. The analysis will be undertaken by qualitative constructivist grounded theory. We interviewed n=29 participants in the UK and n=33 participants in Colombia.Findings: The pandemic highlighted the ability of older adults to learn new skills when faced with challenges and adversities. The results suggest that some participants found new goals, and some found pleasure in optimising existing skills and tasks. Other participants compensated for the lack of social connectivity by intensifying hobbies they already enjoy. We identified three ways in which older adults adapted: cognitive, emotional, and behavioural. However, not all participants adapted well, instead struggled to adapt. Across countries, many participants were ‘holding the tension’ and were waiting for the pandemic to end.Conclusion: Adaptation under adverse circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic is possible for older adults. However, many participants were ‘holding the tension’ until the health threat was over.

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