A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic

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This study aimed to explore the experiences of older Irish adults during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland while ‘cocooning’ measures were in place. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 38 older adults recruited via a convenience sampling procedure. Interviews were conducted between April 13th and May 5th, 2020 and were analysed using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. Participants contributed to analysis of the interview data. Older adults experienced the pandemic in the context of diverse life experiences, circumstances and transitions including retirement and being a family carer. Although older adults faced many challenges and experienced many losses during the early weeks of the pandemic, they were slow to complain and minimised their difficulties. Older adults responded to the disruption of the pandemic with stoicism and a commitment to keep busy and reinstate daily routine. Older adults were knowledgeable about COVID and reported adhering to government-imposed restrictions in the main, this was linked with very positive evaluations of, and trust in, the Irish government response. Our findings resonate with international research demonstrating the active coping response of older adults’ during the COVID-19 pandemic and help explain age-related differences in the psychological impact of the pandemic. Findings from this study challenge ageist assumptions that manifested during the pandemic by illuminating the heterogeneity of older adults’ experiences." } { "@context": "http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "1", "item": { "@id": "https://hrbopenresearch.org/", "name": "Home" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "2", "item": { "@id": "https://hrbopenresearch.org/browse/articles", "name": "Browse" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": "3", "item": { "@id": "https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-51/v1", "name": "A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early..." } } ] } Home Browse A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early... ALL Metrics - Views Downloads Get PDF Get XML Cite How to cite this article McCarthy A, Morrissey A, O'Neill A et al. A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.14110.1 ) NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. Close Copy Citation Details Export Export Citation Sciwheel EndNote Ref. Manager Bibtex ProCite Sente EXPORT Select a format first Track Share ▬ ✚ Research Article A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] Aoife McCarthy https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5963-2174 1,2 , AnnMarie Morrissey 1,2 , Aoife O'Neill https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8670-6738 2 , [...] Mairead Conneely https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9233-2007 1,2 , Margaret O'Connor 2,3 , Siobhan Leahy 2,4 , Judi Pettigrew https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4519-5978 1 , Pauline Meskell https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0218-5390 2,5 , Rose Galvin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8171-224X 1,2 , Katie Robinson https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1008-9857 1,2 Aoife McCarthy https://orcid.org/0009-0000-5963-2174 1,2 , AnnMarie Morrissey 1,2 , [...] Aoife O'Neill https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8670-6738 2 , Mairead Conneely https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9233-2007 1,2 , Margaret O'Connor 2,3 , Siobhan Leahy 2,4 , Judi Pettigrew https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4519-5978 1 , Pauline Meskell https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0218-5390 2,5 , Rose Galvin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8171-224X 1,2 , Katie Robinson https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1008-9857 1,2 PUBLISHED 08 Apr 2025 Author details Author details 1 School of Allied Health, University of Limerick Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland 2 Ageing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland 3 Department of Ageing and Therapeutics, University Hospital Limerick, University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, County Limerick, Ireland 4 Atlantic Technological University, Galway, H91 T8NW, Ireland 5 Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland Aoife McCarthy Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing AnnMarie Morrissey Roles: Data Curation, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Aoife O'Neill Roles: Data Curation, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Mairead Conneely Roles: Data Curation, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Margaret O'Connor Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Siobhan Leahy Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Judi Pettigrew Roles: Formal Analysis, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Pauline Meskell Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Rose Galvin Roles: Conceptualization, Methodology, Project Administration, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Katie Robinson Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Funding Acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project Administration, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing OPEN PEER REVIEW DETAILS REVIEWER STATUS This article is included in the Ageing Populations collection. This article is included in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) collection. Abstract In March 2020 the Irish Government introduced restrictions to prevent transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) including 'cocooning', a measure for those over 70 years of age to minimise interactions with others by not leaving their homes. This study aimed to explore the experiences of older Irish adults during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland while ‘cocooning’ measures were in place. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 38 older adults recruited via a convenience sampling procedure. Interviews were conducted between April 13 th and May 5 th , 2020 and were analysed using a reflexive approach to thematic analysis. Participants contributed to analysis of the interview data. Older adults experienced the pandemic in the context of diverse life experiences, circumstances and transitions including retirement and being a family carer. Although older adults faced many challenges and experienced many losses during the early weeks of the pandemic, they were slow to complain and minimised their difficulties. Older adults responded to the disruption of the pandemic with stoicism and a commitment to keep busy and reinstate daily routine. Older adults were knowledgeable about COVID and reported adhering to government-imposed restrictions in the main, this was linked with very positive evaluations of, and trust in, the Irish government response. Our findings resonate with international research demonstrating the active coping response of older adults’ during the COVID-19 pandemic and help explain age-related differences in the psychological impact of the pandemic. Findings from this study challenge ageist assumptions that manifested during the pandemic by illuminating the heterogeneity of older adults’ experiences. READ ALL READ LESS Keywords COVID-19, Qualitative Research, Older adults, Public and Patient Involvement Corresponding Author(s) Aoife McCarthy ( [email protected] ) Close Corresponding author: Aoife McCarthy Competing interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Grant information: This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from the University of Limerick, Health Research Institute to Prof. Katie Robinson. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Copyright: © 2025 McCarthy A et al . This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. How to cite: McCarthy A, Morrissey A, O'Neill A et al. A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.14110.1 ) First published: 08 Apr 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.14110.1 ) Latest published: 08 Apr 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.14110.1 ) Introduction December 2024 marked 776,973,432 cumulative cases of COVID-19 and 7,077,725 associated deaths worldwide ( World Health Organization, 2024 ). Older adults have increased susceptibility to COVID-19 infection and those older adults infected are at increased risk of mortality ( Zhang et al. , 2023 ). The pandemic presented specific risks for older people including increased incidence of later life depression ( Oh et al. , 2023 ), reduced physical activity levels ( Saunders et al. , 2023 ), the threat of financial abuse and fraud ( Teaster et al. , 2023 ) and increased prevalence of social isolation and loneliness ( Su et al. , 2023 ). Ageism was evident in policy responses and public discourse since the COVID-19 outbreak, for example in othering and de-prioritization of older adults’ lives in public discourse ( Søraa et al., 2020 ) and in initial perceptions that the virus is really an older person’s problem, and the patronising nature of some policy responses ( Brooke & Jackson, 2020 ; Fraser et al. , 2020 ). In many jurisdictions, including Ireland, public health guidelines or government-imposed restrictions to curb the pandemic placed more stringent restrictions on older adults than younger people ( Hale et al. , 2021 ). As the pandemic has progressed, empirical research has explored older adults perceptions of ageism and its impact on their health and wellbeing ( Brinkhof et al. , 2023 ; Chasteen et al. , 2023 ; Karmann et al. , 2024 ; McDarby et al. , 2022 ; Shiovitz-Ezra et al. , 2023 ). Although attention to ageism has increased in the wake of the global pandemic it is not a new phenomenon and the level and impact of ageism observed during the pandemic is similar to those reported in the literature before the pandemic ( Werner & AboJabel, 2023 ). The impact of social distancing and lockdown policies on older people was identified as a research priority at an early stage during the pandemic ( Richardson et al. , 2020 ) as studies of previous infectious disease outbreaks indicated negative mental health and psychological outcomes of social isolation ( Brooks et al. , 2020 ). Since then, older adults’ pandemic experience have been extensively reported and the resilience of this cohort is evident in research reporting their coping strategies ( Ahmadi et al. , 2023 ; Bellanova et al. , 2024 ; Brooks et al. , 2022 ; Lapierre et al. , 2023 ; Neves et al. , 2023 ). Notwithstanding these coping strategies, the psychological impact of the pandemic on older people has been demonstrated in changes to mood, reduced mobility, loss of enjoyment, and exacerbation of loneliness ( Mello et al. , 2022 ; Neves et al. , 2023 ). Qualitative research can inform evidence-based public health responses to infectious diseases ( Vindrola-Padros et al. , 2020 ) and qualitative methods are recommended by the Centre for Disease Control in epidemiological investigation due to their capacity to provide insight into perceptions, values, opinions and community norms (Wolff et al. , 2018). Although older adults are a heterogenous group they faced specific challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and this study aimed to explore the experiences and beliefs of older adults during the initial outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the context of the Republic of Ireland. Context The Irish government introduced ‘cocooning’ on March 27 th 2020, a measure for those over 70 years of age to minimise interactions with others by not leaving their homes, even for exercise ( Kennelly et al. , 2020 ), alongside other guidelines for the wider population. Cocooning measures stayed in place until May 5 th , 2020, when older adults were allowed to go outdoors to exercise but recommended to avoid shops. Public health guidance for older adults became more flexible in subsequent waves of infection and in late 2020 “support bubbles” were encouraged to minimise isolation ( Phelan et al. , 2021 ). An unprecedented mobilisation of community and voluntary services to support older adults and vulnerable members of communities was enacted in Ireland in March 2020. COVID-19 Community Response Forums were established in every Local Authority area in Ireland to coordinate and organise volunteer services to ensure vulnerable members of communities could access food, medicines, and meet other needs such as transport to medical appointments ( Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, 2022 ). Method Design A qualitative interpretative design was adopted to explore in-depth the experiences and beliefs of older Irish adults during the outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. Reporting is guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) ( Tong et al. , 2007 ). The study methods are described in detail in the published protocol ( Robinson et al. , 2020 ). Participants and Recruitment Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants from an older adult and family carer stakeholder panel for health services research within the Ageing Research Centre (ARC) at the University of Limerick, Ireland. Recruitment for this panel has been previously reported ( Conneely et al. , 2020 ). Additionally, ARC academic members circulated an information sheet to known older adult contacts. Seventeen stakeholder panel members volunteered to participate, and an additional twenty-one participants were recruited through ARC academic member contacts. Recruitment continued until saturation was achieved. Participants are described in Table 1 . Written informed consent was obtained from each participant who participated in the study. Table 1. Participant characteristics. Gender Pseudonym Age Rural /urban Marital Status Living with Occupation F Ella 74 Suburbs Widowed Daughter Working part time (creative arts sector) F Mary 79 Rural Married Spouse Homemaker M Jack 67 Rural village Separated Alone Some paid part time / occasional work (education sector) M Timothy 80 Rural Married Wife Retired. Some part-time farming F Aoife 68 Urban Widowed Son Retired F Maeve 63 Urban ND Alone Unemployed but seeking work F Orla 74 Rural Married Spouse Retired F Ann-Marie 73 Urban ND 2 daughters ND F Liz 73 Urban Married Husband Retired F Mairead 65 Rural Married Husband Retired, working part time in education sector F Tara 72 Rural Single Alone Retired – Some voluntary work (beauty / wellness sector) F Roisin 78 Rural Widowed Alone Not disclosed M Harry 74 Rural Widowed Alone Semi-retired F Deirdre 62 Urban Married Alone Retired. Currently an unpaid family caregiver M Liam 65 Rural Married Wife Retired M Donnacha 83 Urban Married Wife Retired. Currently an unpaid family caregiver. F Barbra 56 Rural Married Husband Worked in education sector, left job due to caregiving demands. Currently an unpaid family caregiver M Pat 72 Urban Married Wife ND F Clodagh 69 Rural Single Alone Retired M Paul 86 Urban Married Wife Retired F Laura 79 Rural Widowed Alone Retired M Jeff ND Urban Married Wife Retired F Ellen 72 Rural Widowed Adult son Not employed M John 73 Rural Widowed Adult son Full time farmer F Brigid 65 Urban Married Husband & daughter Homemaker F Sinead 76 Rural Married Husband Housewife + some farming M Matt 72 Urban Married Wife Retired. Currently an unpaid family caregiver. F Sarah 69 Urban Married Husband Retired M Barry 73 Urban Single Alone Retired F Nora 68 Rural Married Husband Working childcare sector F Niamh 84 Rural Widowed Alone ND F Maura 71 Urban Married Husband Retired F Therese >70 Urban Married Husband Retired F Jackie ND Urban Married Husband Retired F Marie 72 Urban Widowed Alone Housewife F Caitriona 68 Urban Married Husband ND M William 79 Urban Married Wife Retired. Working part-time unpaid in family business. M Joe 80 Rural Married Wife Farming full-time *ND = Not Disclosed; F = Female; M = Male Research team roles and prior experience Interviews were conducted by AON, MC, AMM and KR. Interviews were transcribed in full and analysed by KR. Wider team members reviewed analysis at various stages. The research team members experience of qualitative research has been reported in the study protocol ( Robinson et al. , 2020 ). All members of this team were female. Data collection A semi-structured recorded telephone interview was conducted with recruited participants between April 13 th and May 5 th , 2020. The interview schedule covered four areas; participants experience since the COVID-19 outbreak, participants beliefs about COVID-19, challenges participants have faced since the COVID-19 outbreak, what has supported participants since the COVID-19 outbreak. Interviews ranged in length from 30 to 70 minutes with an average length of 48 minutes. Interviewers did not interview any of their own known contacts except in two cases. All interviews, bar one rescheduled interview, were conducted under cocooning guidelines that restricted older adults from leaving their homes, even for exercise. Data analysis Interviews were transcribed and analysed using a thematic approach to analysis supported by the use of NVIVO software. Initially an interview transcript was coded by KR and JP independently and subsequently discussed. All data were subsequently coded by KR. Preliminary themes were presented to and discussed with the wider research team and a four-page summary was circulated to ARC older adult stakeholder panel members for comments / feedback. Ethics The study has received ethical approval from the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences University of Limerick, Research Ethics Committee (2020_03_51_EHS (ER). Results Thirty eight older adults were interviewed, see Table 1 . For participant characteristics. Data analysis generated four themes. Theme 1: Older adults experienced the pandemic in the context of diverse life experiences and circumstances and in the context of their age While older adults’ experiences shared common elements, their accounts were also heterogenous reflecting their diverse experiences and circumstances. Some participants had recently experienced a transition or life event including retirement, a spouse moving to a nursing home, bereavement, illness in their family and receiving a new diagnosis. For many their experience of this transition was negatively compounded by the pandemic. Some participants were family carers for a spouse or adult child, and they reported feeling unrecognised, unsupported, burdened and concerned about the future. Family carers described a hugely difficult few weeks as they adjusted to the withdrawal of day services, personal assistant services, carer support group meetings and other informal supports. “we did have a personal assistant that was coming in, and now that person has left … I suppose that's the biggest support that's gone … and not just what the work she could do but it was the banter and the, you know, the engagement with her. She was adding life to the house, do you know what I mean? She just broke up the thing of the two of us being here on our own the whole time” (Barbra). Older adults experienced COVID in the context of past life experiences. The restrictions and fear of COVID-19 were compared with the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak and atomic bomb fears and their memories of other infectious diseases such as Tuberculosis, SARS, Polio, and Asian Flu. Older adult’s perception of their age was often central to their beliefs about COVID-19. For some the pandemic had forced a new or heightened awareness of their age. Many perceived their vulnerability to COVID-19 as increased due to their age. Few participants questioned the restrictions placed on older adults with only one wondering about the legal basis of not allowing older adults outside even to exercise. However, many older participants thought not allowing older adults go for a drive or visit outdoor sites such as graveyards was overly restrictive. Beliefs that older people would be restricted longer than other groups were common, and some older adults questioned using chronological age to determine restrictions or to decide clinical treatment and they emphasised that older people can be healthier than younger people and that old age does not begin at the same age for everyone. “Your health would be more important than the age, I think, you see you could have bad chest and things at 50 or 60 and could be at risk. It would vary from person to person I think. You know... it isn’t just because I’m old I’m saying that, but ah, two people the same age won’t have the same health” (Joe). While some saw themselves as healthy and fit others were anxious about their age and other health complaints in case they contracted COVID-19. A small number of older adults described feeling that time is precious for older people and COVID-19 therefore has a greater impact. “It's funny at this stage in your life you resent the fact that you will probably lose a year out of it when you can ill afford that. There's not many years left in me that I feel like having a wasted one but there you go, you don't have a choice in these matters” (Clodagh). Many older adults referred to recent reports of older adults aged 100 years+ who had survived COVID-19 and many said that these stories were uplifting. Older adults themselves identified the stoicism and resilience of their generation referring to older people as ‘ hardy’ , having experienced a lot more challenges than younger people. Older adults referenced difficult childhoods, experiences of poverty and hardship and growing up during and post WW2. While older adults were, in the main, appreciative of, and valued support from adult children, a few respondents described adult children as controlling them or a changed dynamic of children acting like older adults’ parents. This changed dynamic often focused on adult children admonishing older adults for going out in the community. “ Like the last time I was in town would have been the, mm, around the 12th of March I think .. and I literally had to go .. to collect something .. and my daughter ate the head off me afterwards .. various daughters on the phone like you know, ‘What were you doing?’” (Ella). “That describes my life now and now with eight children I'm under their surveillance. I can't go out” (Mary). Theme 2: Although older adults faced many challenges, they were slow to complain, and they minimised their difficulties Participants described much disruption and change to their daily lives, activities and routines. They reported the loss of participation in many valued activities (most commonly; volunteering, work, minding grandchildren, leisure activities, going to mass and funerals, and shopping). Activity changes created a cascade of losses including loss of social interaction, loss of daily structure and routine, loss of independence and loss of purpose. Descriptions of emotional difficulties were common. Participants described fear and stress, feeling low and sad, boredom/monotony, frustration, feeling that life has shrunk or that life is on pause, having bad days, struggling with uncertainty, loneliness and difficulty motivating themselves. Fear of COVID-19 was common and many participants felt at increased risk from COVID-19 because of their age and in some cases other health conditions. “ Well I suppose being, being the worst aspect I suppose I mean is the fear I suppose that you would get it Because of our age you know ” (William). Participants who had a spouse or adult child living in a residential care setting or nursing home reported the cessation of visits was upsetting and they worried about the welfare of their loved ones. Some had not revealed their concerns to family members as they did not want to worry them. A small number of participants described an improvement over the course of the first few weeks from being very fearful or finding the restrictions difficult to cope with initially to feeling better over the course of the first few weeks. “So you know, I have to say that I have become used to it. In the beginning I had a few bad days you know, kind of thinking, just leave me alone kind of and I want to get out and I want my life back but it's amazing how adaptable we are and I'd say my husband is the same.” (Mairead). Most older adults reported that they wanted to avoid hospital, the Emergency Department (ED) or attending their General Practitioner due to fear of contracting COVID-19. Many described fears of the ED or hospital attendances before the pandemic and that this was now heightened; “I would dread to have to visit the hospital in the present time” (Timothy). Although older adults faced many challenges almost all were slow to complain, they frequently reframed negative impacts of the pandemic and trivialised and dismissed them. “So you know there have been a huge amount of changes. Now having said all that, I hope you don't think I'm complaining, I'm not. Because we realise how lucky we are … we are very lucky and we very grateful for all the blessings we have in life” (Mairead). Participants identified many reasons to be grateful including their personal characteristics, their living and social situation and their environment. They drew many comparisons with their situation and that of others, less fortunate, and expressed concern for family members and others, not known to them, in difficult circumstances. Stoical responses, such as, “we have to put up with it” and “soldier on” were common. Most participants described being grateful for the good weather making the restrictions easier as it was easier to spend time outside, gardening and the good weather was described as uplifting. “ I don't ever remember an April as lovely as this in terms of weather. Oh, didn't God send this [the weather] to us like” (Ellen). Most participants described some disappointment about cancelled events, plans and holidays however these disappointments were often subsequently dismissed as trivial. Many were philosophical and stoical about their risk of dying if they contracted COVID-19. “I'm not really afraid for myself, except in so far as it would affect my family if I got it, because I know if I get it it will, that will be the end of me, but look, I'm 78. I had a great life. I can't complain” (Roisin). Participants described appreciation and admiration for those who volunteered to help older adults during the pandemic including the An Post postal collection services, people helping with grocery shopping and prescription collections. Participants also identified a new sense of community spirit and getting to know neighbours better in some cases. “In the heel of the hunt I'm doing nothing for anybody so I would certainly be looking at life in a different way when all of this passes over … I mean you'll be looking at people in a different light now and how nice they are and I'm gobsmacked about it all tell you the truth” (Niamh). Theme 3: Older adults trusted the government response, were knowledgeable about COVID-19 and took preventative action The vast majority of participants reported that watching the news on TV and newspapers were their main sources of information on COVID-19. Other popular sources of information were adult children and the internet. The overwhelming majority reported the government issued booklet on COVID-19 was not useful as by the time it was received, they had already heard the information it contained. “We got books out about it but sure by the time the book came we were nearly as wise as the ones that sent it” (Joe). Many respondents reported they had to limit the amount of news they watched / read about COVID-19 as it was stressful / anxiety provoking, especially in some cases before going to bed. “Okay, probably like everybody else, the first two or three weeks, I was constantly reading every single thing on Facebook, I would listen to the radio, you name it. But I just felt it was getting to me far more. I had my mental health, I found I was getting more anxious and more anxious, oh god, it was like the virus was going to come in the window to me. So I found that, in about the last three weeks now, only listen to the six o'clock news, you'd get everything that you need to get from that” (Aoife). Most were knowledgeable about COVID-19 in the context of the publicly available information at that time. The vast majority reported that the virus is transmitted by droplets in the air, particularly caused by coughing and sneezing, and contaminated surfaces. The main symptoms mentioned were fever and cough. Masks were not discussed by all and those who did discuss masks raised concerns about their effectiveness. “I sort of wondering about masks but there's so many different opinions on that, whether they actually work or whether they don't … then another programme said, oh well, the germs can go through the masks just like that with no problem, it's like putting an apple through a football net. So you don't know what to believe” (Orla). All participants described changes in their behaviour to avoid contracting COVID including physical distancing, meeting outdoors rather than indoors, increased hand washing and sanitising and cleaning surfaces. A small group were very cautious about surface cleaning. “I get up in the morning and I have my spray, my Dettol and I do all the handles, and there's nobody here only myself like. The switches, everything gets it. The remote control gets it, my phone gets it, everything gets it. I've completely gone over the top with it like” (Ellen). While almost all described adhering to the restrictions many breaches were reported which participants perceived as posing minimal risk to them or others, mainly taking outdoor exercise. While some participants mentioned distrust of reporting and data from China, only one participant explicitly mentioned fake news or conspiracy theories. Many discussed case numbers in Ireland and internationally and a small number discussed mortality rates, vaccine development and scale-up, issues with testing and contact tracing and the concept of virus waves. All, bar one participant described the Irish government and public response to COVID-19 in very positive terms. Many contrasted this with other countries most notably the UK and America. The Irish Chief Medical Officer was regularly praised along with the Taoiseach and Health minister. Participants felt the government had taken appropriate and timely action, helped by being forewarned by events in Italy and Spain. Participants perceived the Irish government were listening to scientists and healthcare providers and basing their decisions on the well-being of the nation and care for citizens. While one participant was very critical of the Irish government response, most appraised the government positively and many were extremely positive about the government response. Government messaging, timing of information, and speeches were complimented. Criticisms of the government preparation in terms of PPE and lack of strategy for nursing homes were raised by many. “I'm proud to be an Irish man because I believe we have handled this very well. I would have the utmost respect for people like Dr Tony Houlihan and so on and all of those people at the top strategy level. I think they have done a very, very, good job and I think in fairness to the politicians, they have listened to them, they have listened to the experts and they are acting on the advice, they're acting in a timely way on the advice that they are being given” (Jeff). Theme 4: Older adults responded to the pandemic with a commitment to keep busy Older adults responded to COVID with a commitment to re-establish routine and maintain activity participation. Older adults commonly expressed fear of being idle or bored. “[daughters name] got me wallpaper on-line. She ordered it for me, so I'll do that now but I'm kind of waiting now for the next day or two to even start that because I want it to stretch out a bit, you know, keep myself busy” (Brigid). They described tackling new projects and setting new goals to fill time and remain productive during the period of restrictions. “I've set aside jobs every day. I have a big lawn. I'd normally cut it in one day but now I'm making three days of it so that I have something to do every day. You know that type of thing. I read, I read a lot and I watch television of course. So you just try to keep busy” (Tara). Many saw daily exercise as important and walking was the most commonly reported exercise and a small few described other exercise including chair-based exercises, and an online exercise class. Many described starting walking during the restrictions to replace other activities they normally engaged in for example golf. Many described implementing a new daily routine and stressed the importance of having a routine to structure their day following the disruption of the restrictions. “We have a bit of a routine established in that we turn on the radio about half eight in the morning and listen to the news until about half nine. Then we make our breakfast. Then we watch mass on the streaming or whatever its on then we have our morning coffee. That’s the end of the morning (laughs) and then I’m getting the paper delivered. I'm getting the paper delivered that started yesterday. That fills up until lunchtime so to speak” (William). The disruption to weekly routine was keenly felt with many reporting that they were having difficulty knowing what day of the week it was. “I wake up in the morning and I'd have to think for a few minutes, what day is it today. Every day now for us is like a weekend” (Brigid). Many new activities were adopted including online education courses, tackling household projects including gardening, yard work, clearing out, decluttering, wallpapering, and painting. Listening to mass on the tv or radio or online for the first time was common and many reported reading more, watching more tv and doing more puzzles. “So yeah I like to have a project per day and if I don't I'm kind of ‘oh my goodness’ Which doesn't happen very often you know. You know that kind of thing. At the moment now I'm am clearing out presses and things that belonged to to (name of late husband) ” (Niamh) Support from adult children to use technology and videocall online platforms for the first time was very commonly reported. “My daughter got me a laptop there since this thing [COVID-19] came in just so I'm able to do a lot of things on the laptop. Cattle bought on the laptop and everything (Laughter)” (John). While some enjoyed these new online activities multiple challenges were also described including fear of using technology, lack of familiarity, hassle and the online experience of activities such as reading the paper or shopping not equating to a real-world experience. “sometimes it's a little bit, I don't know if the word is stiff or stilted, but it's not just quite the same interaction I think. I think you have better craic when you're actually together” (Sarah). Discussion This qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic found that older adults experienced the pandemic in the context of diverse life experiences, circumstances and their age. Older adults faced many challenges and experienced many losses during the early weeks of the pandemic; however, they were slow to complain and minimised their difficulties. Older adults responded to the disruption of the pandemic with a commitment to keep busy and reinstate daily routine. Older adults were knowledgeable about COVID and reported adhering to restrictions in the main, this was linked with very positive evaluations of, and trust in, the Irish government response. Participants in our study reported negative emotional experiences. These findings have also been replicated in studies nationally and internationally. Phelan and colleagues also aimed to explore older adults’ experience of cocooning in the Republic of Ireland and participants described anxiety, worry and loneliness ( Phelan et al. , 2021 ). This study however had a smaller sample size and participants opinions were sought based on their experience of cocooning throughout the year 2020 whereas this study focused on the earliest stage of the pandemic when restrictions were most inflexible for older adults. A systematic review and meta-analysis by Su and colleagues in 2023 reported significant incidence of loneliness and social isolation among older adults during the pandemic with a pooled prevalence of 28.6 per cent and 31.2 per cent respectively ( Su et al. , 2023 ). Alongside challenges, losses and negative emotional experiences our analysis also revealed that older adults were slow to complain and adopted active approaches to coping such as re-establishing routine and engaging in activities. This reflects findings by Bellanova and colleagues who demonstrated older adults’ stoicism and described how older adults use of activity, social interactions, a positive mindset and personal attributes counteracted isolation during the pandemic ( Bellanova et al. , 2024 ). In a systematic review of qualitative studies, Ahmadi and colleagues describe the active approaches to coping by older adults during the pandemic which included maintaining social connections, meaning-based strategies, and activities for fun ( Ahmadi et al. , 2023 ). Several studies point to important age-related differences in the psychological impact of the pandemic and coping, with higher levels of psychological distress reported by younger compared to older adults ( Best et al. , 2023 ; Birditt et al. , 2021 ; Nelson & Bergeman, 2020 ; Wang et al. , 2020 ; Young et al. , 2021 ). These differences may relate to the life experience and coping mechanisms of older adults ( Young et al. , 2021 ). We found that older adults set goals around engagement in activities, made an active effort to re-instate daily routine and strove to be productive during the outbreak phase of the pandemic. Engagement in personally meaningful activities can play an important role in supporting adaptation and well-being during life transitions ( Hammell, 2020 ; Jonsson et al. , 2001 ; Trimboli et al. , 2019 ). This was also the case for older adults in a residential setting during the pandemic. Bellanova and colleagues also identified the role activity, be that new-found and/or re-discovered, played in cultivating a sense of novelty and creating a richness of experience and opportunity that would not have been possible before the pandemic ( Bellanova et al. , 2024 ). Findings from a telephone interview study (March 28–April 20, 2020) with 76 older adults (aged 70–97) recruited from an American Midwestern region describing daily life and coping also found that staying busy, maintaining normalcy and routine, engagement in projects and setting goals operated as a coping strategy for older adults during the pandemic ( Fuller & Huseth-Zosel, 2021 ). Rather than emphasising their own problems older adults in our study emphasised what they are grateful for, and expressed concern for others. This is mirrored in a Canadian study which explored how older adults adjusted to life during the pandemic. Older adults were appreciative for perceived blessings such as time, their geographic location, the safety of their home circumstances and the opportunity to slow down ( Brooks et al. , 2022 ). Dispositional gratitude is moderately to strongly correlated with well-being ( Portocarrero et al. , 2020 ) and the well-being benefits of benefit finding, and optimism have also been demonstrated ( Forgeard & Seligman, 2012 ; Helgeson et al. , 2006 ). A significant positive association has also been reported between having positive personal character strengths and resilience in older adults ( Lapierre et al. , 2023 ). Comparisons with others in more difficult circumstances were common across the interviews and downward social comparison has benefits for individuals ( Gerber et al. , 2018 ). Participants expressed empathetic concern for others both known and not known to them during the pandemic. Mirroring our findings, an online survey of US adults (aged 60+) (n=825) experiences of pandemic stresses and joys identified concern for others as one of the most significant sources of stress during the pandemic, second only to the stress of restrictions/confinement ( Whitehead & Torossian, 2021 ). Caregivers in our study reported very difficult experiences during the outbreak phase of the pandemic. Similarly other studies of caregivers’ experiences during the pandemic report experiences of fear, uncertainty, and increased burden due to closure and reduction of services ( Bailey et al. , 2022 ). Older adults trust and appraisal of the Irish government response was very positive, and they were knowledgeable about COVID-19 and its transmission. In the main, participants reported a high level of adherence with the regulations and where regulations were breached older adults perceived the associated risk was low. Similar adherence with restrictions has been reported in the literature in Ireland. Kearney and colleagues found that age was the only significant predictor of compliance behaviour in terms of restrictions with the highest levels of compliance found in the youngest and oldest age groups ( Kearney et al. , 2023 ). The Irish Longitudinal study on Ageing (TILDA) reports very high compliance with public health restrictions, estimating 80 per cent of those over the age of 60 were adhering to social distancing guidelines and 98 per cent had improved hand hygiene practices and 74 per cent reported use of PPE outside of the home ( The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing, 2022 ). Contradictory findings have also been reported in the international literature. An international survey study representing 27 countries, found that older adults were not systematically more responsive to self-isolation and were not more compliant with preventative measures such as use of face coverings when compared to younger cohorts ( Daoust, 2020 ). The upsurge in ageism due to the pandemic has been widely discussed. In our findings older adults rejected the ageist idea that older adults are a homogenous group with an equally high risk of contracting or dying from COVID-19 ( Ayalon, 2020 ; Ayalon et al. 2021 ; Maboloc & Cutillas, 2025 ), they emphasised that health rather than age is important in terms of COVID-19 risk. Similarly, in a qualitative study in 2021 exploring older adults perceptions and experience of ageism during the pandemic, participants protected themselves from identifying with media discourse and behaviours of ageism by focusing on alternative personal traits and life experiences ( McDarby et al. , 2022 ). Our participants also highlighted issues when their autonomy and agency were not recognised particularly by adult children. They described vigilance, admonishment and control by adult children. These experiences reflect ageist attitudes about the vulnerability of older adults and their inability to make decisions balancing risk and safety. Analysis of ageism during COVID-19 has led to calls for people to verify need, and seek consent, from older adults before engaging in helping behaviour ( Vervaecke & Meisner, 2021 ). These findings are concerning given experimental studies have demonstrated that when confronted with negative stereotypes and ageism, older adults can experience a reduction in functional ability, cognitive performance, emotional well-being ( Robertson, 2017 ), subjective health rating, life satisfaction ( Chasteen et al. , 2023 ) and increased loneliness ( Shiovitz-Ezra et al. , 2023 ). Strengths The study is strengthened by the published study protocol ( Robinson et al. , 2020 ), the adherence to standardised reporting guidelines, the prolonged engagement with the data, the attention to reflexivity, involvement of participants in data analysis and participation of multiple researchers in data analysis. Limitations Although the sampling strategy aimed to recruit participants with diverse demographics, we did not recruit older adults from hard-to-reach populations such as people accessing homeless services, members of the Travelling community or people from Black, Asian or Ethnic Minority communities. Conclusion This qualitative study of Irish older adults’ experiences of the outbreak phase of the COVD-19 pandemic reflects findings from several international studies demonstrating the active coping response of older adults’ during the COVID-19 pandemic and helps explain age-related differences in the psychological impact of the pandemic. Findings from this study reject ageist assumptions which have been prevalent in research, policy and the media during the pandemic by highlighting the heterogeneity of older adults’ experiences, and their resilience during the early outbreak phase of COVID-19. Implications for policy and practice This research contributes to a body of evidence that highlights the impact of the pandemic and the associated public health measures on the wellbeing of older adults thus copper fastening the importance of prioritising the psychosocial needs of older adults in a pandemic context. To progress our understanding and improve older adult outcomes for future health crisis/pandemics, research should focus on reporting the efficacy of interventions to curb the impact of public health measures. The limited number of studies completed since 2020 has focused on online/virtual methods in the main ( Gabarrell-Pascuet et al. , 2024 ; Yavuz & Şahin, 2023 ) or focused mainly on the wider population ( Ye et al. , 2022 ). From a policy perspective, our findings support the need to learn from the COVID-19 pandemic and support approaches such as education in virtual communication methods tailored to the needs of older adults. Older adults’ proactive response to the pandemic supports the need for future policy makers to espouse an age-attuned approach to public health measures that acknowledges vulnerability and protects health while balancing the potentially harmful impact of social isolation. Ethical standards This study was approved by the Faculty of Education and Health Sciences University of Limerick, Research Ethics Committee (2020_03_51_EHS (ER) on the 24 th March 2020. Consent Written informed consent for participation in this study was obtained from all participants involved. Data availability Underlying data Ethical approval and participant consent restrict access of the data which includes audio recordings and transcripts, to the research team. Qualitative transcripts included information that could identify participants and therefore it is not appropriate to share the raw data. If readers have questions about the data they can contact the corresponding author. Extended data Figshare: COREQ checklist for ‘A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic’. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28550459 ( McCarthy, 2025 ). Data are available under the terms of the Creative Commons Zero "No rights reserved" data waiver (CC0 1.0 Public domain dedication). Acknowledgements The authors wish to acknowledge the contribution of all the older adults who participated in this study and to the Ageing Research Centre’s stakeholder panel. Faculty Opinions recommended References Ahmadi A, Allahverdipour H, Valiee S, et al. : COVID-19 stress and coping strategies among older adults: a systematic review of qualitative evidences. BMC Psychol. 2023; 11 (1): 333. PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | Free Full Text Ayalon L: There is nothing new under the sun: ageism and intergenerational tension in the age of the COVID-19 outbreak. Int Psychogeriatr. 2020; 32 (10): 1221–1224. 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PubMed Abstract | Publisher Full Text | Free Full Text Comments on this article Comments (0) Version 1 VERSION 1 PUBLISHED 08 Apr 2025 ADD YOUR COMMENT Comment Author details Author details 1 School of Allied Health, University of Limerick Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland 2 Ageing Research Centre, Health Research Institute, University of Limerick Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland 3 Department of Ageing and Therapeutics, University Hospital Limerick, University Hospital Limerick, Dooradoyle, County Limerick, Ireland 4 Atlantic Technological University, Galway, H91 T8NW, Ireland 5 Department of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Limerick Faculty of Education and Health Sciences, Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland Aoife McCarthy Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing AnnMarie Morrissey Roles: Data Curation, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Aoife O'Neill Roles: Data Curation, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Mairead Conneely Roles: Data Curation, Investigation, Methodology, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Margaret O'Connor Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Siobhan Leahy Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Judi Pettigrew Roles: Formal Analysis, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Pauline Meskell Roles: Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Rose Galvin Roles: Conceptualization, Methodology, Project Administration, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Katie Robinson Roles: Conceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Funding Acquisition, Investigation, Methodology, Project Administration, Supervision, Writing – Original Draft Preparation, Writing – Review & Editing Competing interests No competing interests were disclosed. Grant information This study was supported by an unrestricted grant from the University of Limerick, Health Research Institute to Prof. Katie Robinson. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Article Versions (1) version 1 Published: 08 Apr 2025, 8:51 https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.14110.1 Copyright © 2025 McCarthy A et al . This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Download Export To Sciwheel Bibtex EndNote ProCite Ref. Manager (RIS) Sente metrics VIEWS $counts.viewCount downloads Citations open_in_new 0 open_in_new 0 open_in_new SEE MORE DETAILS CITE how to cite this article McCarthy A, Morrissey A, O'Neill A et al. A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.14110.1 ) NOTE: If applicable, it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS track receive updates on this article Track an article to receive email alerts on any updates to this article. TRACK THIS ARTICLE Share Open Peer Review Current Reviewer Status: ? Key to Reviewer Statuses VIEW HIDE Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Version 1 VERSION 1 PUBLISHED 08 Apr 2025 Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: Derrer-Merk E. Reviewer Report For: A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46767 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-51/v1#referee-response-46767 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 13 Jun 2025 Elfriede Derrer-Merk , University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK Approved with Reservations VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46767 �� Peer Review Feedback Title of Manuscript : A Qualitative Study of Older Adults’ Experiences During the Early Outbreak Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic Dear Authors, Thank you for your important contribution in exploring the ... Continue reading READ ALL �� Peer Review Feedback Title of Manuscript : A Qualitative Study of Older Adults’ Experiences During the Early Outbreak Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic Dear Authors, Thank you for your important contribution in exploring the experiences of older adults during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Using a qualitative thematic analysis approach is appropriate and commendable, as it allows for a rich, in-depth understanding of older adults’ perspectives during immense social upheaval. Overall, the manuscript is well-structured and well-written, but several areas require further development and clarification before it can be recommended for indexing. Below is detailed feedback intended to help strengthen your paper: Abstract You mention that your findings align with international research published five years later. This is intriguing — could you elaborate on what is novel or unique about your study? What does it add to the gerontological discourse? The phrase “slow in complaining” is unclear. Please clarify what this means, provide context, and explain its relevance to your analysis. Introduction You provide a helpful overview of the literature. To deepen this further, I recommend incorporating recent systematic reviews, such as Derrer-Merk et al. (2023), to situate your findings more robustly within the current body of knowledge. Given the importance of cultural factors in shaping experience, a brief discussion of Irish cultural attitudes, particularly toward stoicism, autonomy, and ageing, would enrich your framing. You might also reference comparative studies from similar contexts (e.g., Derrer-Merk et al., 2022). More detail is needed on the “cocooning” guidelines — specifically that these were recommendations rather than mandates, and how this shaped participants’ agency and decision-making. Please clearly state your research question and refer to it in the discussion section. Methods Although you refer to a broader study protocol, some context is still needed here: What was the larger study’s aim? Why was this study conducted at that particular time? Please describe the role of the Aging Research Centre (ARC), how participants were recruited from this group, and how participatory elements were embedded in the study. You mention the interviewer's familiarity with two participants — this needs further reflection. How was potential bias managed? Did familiarity affect the interview dynamic? Thematic analysis steps are not described. Please explain the approach used (e.g., Braun & Clarke) and detail the analytical process, including memoing or other reflexive practices if relevant. Data Collection & Analysis Please clarify how the use of NVivo and AI-assisted transcription was validated. Were transcripts checked against audio for accuracy? The analysis section is currently too brief. Please explain in detail your approach and how you reached to the themes in this study? Currently it is not possible to understand your approach. Please provide more transparency which fosters trustworthiness of qualitative research. Findings While rich in description, the findings would benefit from more interpretive depth. Thematic analysis involves both description and interpretation — the latter is currently underdeveloped. I recommend expanding it with a table that outlines how codes were developed into themes. This transparency will help readers better understand and evaluate your analytical process. Consider including a coding tree or thematic map to visually represent your findings and support consolidation. Theme 1’s title is too long; consider a more concise alternative. Themes appear somewhat fragmented. Consider consolidating overlapping content (e.g., coping strategies, behavioural responses, and comparisons with younger people, mixed experiences, etc.) into a broader theme or restructure your themes and subthemes. At the moment, it is hard to grasp your analytical approach. Or are you justifying a descriptive approach? The discussion of autonomy, health comparisons, and resistance to vulnerability stereotypes could be strengthened through existing theory, e.g., Carstensen’s socioemotional selectivity theory or the SOC model by Baltes. The theme discussing paternalistic family behaviour might benefit from integration into a broader theme on ageism, potentially exploring both external and internalised forms. Theme 2 appears to function as a “miscellaneous” category. Please revisit and consider re-clustering these findings under clearer thematic umbrellas. Consider integrating concepts such as the support paradox when discussing care home separations (e.g., Smith et al. 2021; Derrer-Merk et al., 2022). Clarify what you mean by “slow to complain.” When and about what did participants express dissatisfaction? This needs empirical grounding. Theme 3 (trust in government): Institutional trust and its impact on risk communication and behavioural adherence should be explored in more depth. Comparative studies (e.g., from Colombia in Derrer-Merk et al., 2022) may be useful here. Consider cross-thematic integration: for example, how did trust shape coping behaviours, or was it influenced by risk communication? Theme 4 (keeping busy) could be merged with coping strategies to reduce fragmentation. Consolidating findings into fewer, richer themes would strengthen the analysis. Discussion Begin by restating the study’s aim and summarising key findings thematically. Organise the discussion thematically rather than descriptively. Draw out implications of specific themes — e.g., how cultural stoicism shapes risk behaviours or experiences of ageism. Provide theoretical framing for your insights, particularly around coping (e.g., downward social comparison, adaptive strategies) and autonomy. Consider a brief section on intersectionality, as you allude to differential experiences (e.g., caregivers). Derrer-Merk et al. (2023) offer useful insights here. Expand on the implications of trust in government. What would have happened if this trust were absent? Reflect on the significance of adherence to restrictions. Does this represent internalised age norms, successful risk communication, or other mechanisms? Limitations Expand this section. Acknowledge potential sampling limitations (e.g., participants engaged with ARC may not represent broader populations), potential biases introduced by known participants, and limitations of retrospective reflection. Conclusion Clearly state your key contributions. Reframe “coping” as an active theme and name it explicitly. Address the implications for policy and future crisis responses, especially regarding risk communication, age-related public health interventions, and participatory decision-making. Final Remarks Your study offers meaningful insight into older adults lived experiences during an unprecedented period. With further conceptual clarity, deeper engagement with the data, and consolidation of your themes, this manuscript has strong potential to make a valuable contribution to gerontological research. This is of particular interest in the Irish context. Warm regards Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Partly Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound? Partly Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others? No If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Not applicable Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? No Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly References 1. Derrer-Merk E, Ferson S, Mannis A, Bentall R, et al.: Older people's family relationships in disequilibrium during the COVID-19 pandemic. What really matters?. Ageing and Society . 2024; 44 (3): 721-738 Publisher Full Text 2. Derrer-Merk E, Reyes-Rodriguez M, Soulsby L, Roper L, et al.: Older adults’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative systematic literature review. BMC Geriatrics . 2023; 23 (1). Publisher Full Text 3. Braun V, Clarke V: Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health . 2019; 11 (4): 589-597 Publisher Full Text 4. Baltes P, Baltes M: Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. 1990. 1-34 Publisher Full Text 5. Carstensen L: Socioemotional Selectivity Theory: The Role of Perceived Endings in Human Motivation. The Gerontologist . 2021; 61 (8): 1188-1196 Publisher Full Text 6. Carstensen L: The Influence of a Sense of Time on Human Development. Science . 2006; 312 (5782): 1913-1915 Publisher Full Text 7. Carstensen L: Evidence for a Life-Span Theory of Socioemotional Selectivity. Current Directions in Psychological Science . 1995; 4 (5): 151-156 Publisher Full Text 8. Smith M, Steinman L, Casey E: Combatting Social Isolation Among Older Adults in a Time of Physical Distancing: The COVID-19 Social Connectivity Paradox. Frontiers in Public Health . 2020; 8 . Publisher Full Text 9. Derrer‐Merk E, Reyes‐Rodriguez M, Salazar A, Guevara M, et al.: Is protecting older adults from COVID‐19 ageism? A comparative cross‐cultural constructive grounded theory from the United Kingdom and Colombia. Journal of Social Issues . 2022; 78 (4): 900-923 Publisher Full Text Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: I am an expert in qualitative research, Gerontology, older adults' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT Derrer-Merk E. Reviewer Report For: A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46767 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-51/v1#referee-response-46767 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Views 0 Cite How to cite this report: O'Dea E. Reviewer Report For: A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46948 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-51/v1#referee-response-46948 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. Close Copy Citation Details Reviewer Report 28 May 2025 Eireann O'Dea , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada Approved VIEWS 0 https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46948 This article is an interesting qualitative account of Irish older adults' experiences during the very early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the findings we learn of the adaptation strategies adopted by older adults during this unprecedented time, during which ... Continue reading READ ALL This article is an interesting qualitative account of Irish older adults' experiences during the very early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the findings we learn of the adaptation strategies adopted by older adults during this unprecedented time, during which they were mandated to spend the majority of their time in isolation at home. While the data was collected over five years ago, reading these accounts now with perspective gained really highlights the need to, as described in the article, to consider the psychosocial implications of mandated isolation among older adults during future pandemics/public health crises. I enjoyed reading it. The methods section would be strengthened by providing detail on the nature of the interview, including the types of questions asked of participants. The implications section would be strengthened by describing the types of interventions used to curb the impact of public health measures to be studied, as it is unclear to the reader what this would look like. Implications for policy section is also in need of more detail- what would "education in virtual communication methods tailored to the needs of older adults" look like? Would this be the best fit considering the articles description of how, with respect to technology, "multiple challenges were also described including fear of using technology, lack of familiarity, hassle and the online experience of activities such as reading the paper or shopping not equating to a real-world experience?" I think there is an opportunity here to propose/make more specific policy and program recommendations beyond the abstract. Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound? Yes Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others? Partly If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Not applicable Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Yes Competing Interests: No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise: gerontology, volunteering among older adults, generativity I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard. Close READ LESS CITE CITE HOW TO CITE THIS REPORT O'Dea E. Reviewer Report For: A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46948 ) The direct URL for this report is: https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-51/v1#referee-response-46948 NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in all citations of this article. COPY CITATION DETAILS Report a concern Respond or Comment COMMENT ON THIS REPORT Comments on this article Comments (0) Version 1 VERSION 1 PUBLISHED 08 Apr 2025 ADD YOUR COMMENT Comment keyboard_arrow_left keyboard_arrow_right Open Peer Review Reviewer Status info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions Reviewer Reports Invited Reviewers 1 2 Version 1 08 Apr 25 read read Eireann O'Dea , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada Elfriede Derrer-Merk , University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK Comments on this article All Comments (0) Add a comment Sign up for content alerts Sign Up You are now signed up to receive this alert keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 Derrer-Merk E. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 13 Jun 2025 | for Version 1 Elfriede Derrer-Merk , University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK 0 Views copyright © 2025 Derrer-Merk E. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (0) Approved With Reservations info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions �� Peer Review Feedback Title of Manuscript : A Qualitative Study of Older Adults’ Experiences During the Early Outbreak Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic Dear Authors, Thank you for your important contribution in exploring the experiences of older adults during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland. Using a qualitative thematic analysis approach is appropriate and commendable, as it allows for a rich, in-depth understanding of older adults’ perspectives during immense social upheaval. Overall, the manuscript is well-structured and well-written, but several areas require further development and clarification before it can be recommended for indexing. Below is detailed feedback intended to help strengthen your paper: Abstract You mention that your findings align with international research published five years later. This is intriguing — could you elaborate on what is novel or unique about your study? What does it add to the gerontological discourse? The phrase “slow in complaining” is unclear. Please clarify what this means, provide context, and explain its relevance to your analysis. Introduction You provide a helpful overview of the literature. To deepen this further, I recommend incorporating recent systematic reviews, such as Derrer-Merk et al. (2023), to situate your findings more robustly within the current body of knowledge. Given the importance of cultural factors in shaping experience, a brief discussion of Irish cultural attitudes, particularly toward stoicism, autonomy, and ageing, would enrich your framing. You might also reference comparative studies from similar contexts (e.g., Derrer-Merk et al., 2022). More detail is needed on the “cocooning” guidelines — specifically that these were recommendations rather than mandates, and how this shaped participants’ agency and decision-making. Please clearly state your research question and refer to it in the discussion section. Methods Although you refer to a broader study protocol, some context is still needed here: What was the larger study’s aim? Why was this study conducted at that particular time? Please describe the role of the Aging Research Centre (ARC), how participants were recruited from this group, and how participatory elements were embedded in the study. You mention the interviewer's familiarity with two participants — this needs further reflection. How was potential bias managed? Did familiarity affect the interview dynamic? Thematic analysis steps are not described. Please explain the approach used (e.g., Braun & Clarke) and detail the analytical process, including memoing or other reflexive practices if relevant. Data Collection & Analysis Please clarify how the use of NVivo and AI-assisted transcription was validated. Were transcripts checked against audio for accuracy? The analysis section is currently too brief. Please explain in detail your approach and how you reached to the themes in this study? Currently it is not possible to understand your approach. Please provide more transparency which fosters trustworthiness of qualitative research. Findings While rich in description, the findings would benefit from more interpretive depth. Thematic analysis involves both description and interpretation — the latter is currently underdeveloped. I recommend expanding it with a table that outlines how codes were developed into themes. This transparency will help readers better understand and evaluate your analytical process. Consider including a coding tree or thematic map to visually represent your findings and support consolidation. Theme 1’s title is too long; consider a more concise alternative. Themes appear somewhat fragmented. Consider consolidating overlapping content (e.g., coping strategies, behavioural responses, and comparisons with younger people, mixed experiences, etc.) into a broader theme or restructure your themes and subthemes. At the moment, it is hard to grasp your analytical approach. Or are you justifying a descriptive approach? The discussion of autonomy, health comparisons, and resistance to vulnerability stereotypes could be strengthened through existing theory, e.g., Carstensen’s socioemotional selectivity theory or the SOC model by Baltes. The theme discussing paternalistic family behaviour might benefit from integration into a broader theme on ageism, potentially exploring both external and internalised forms. Theme 2 appears to function as a “miscellaneous” category. Please revisit and consider re-clustering these findings under clearer thematic umbrellas. Consider integrating concepts such as the support paradox when discussing care home separations (e.g., Smith et al. 2021; Derrer-Merk et al., 2022). Clarify what you mean by “slow to complain.” When and about what did participants express dissatisfaction? This needs empirical grounding. Theme 3 (trust in government): Institutional trust and its impact on risk communication and behavioural adherence should be explored in more depth. Comparative studies (e.g., from Colombia in Derrer-Merk et al., 2022) may be useful here. Consider cross-thematic integration: for example, how did trust shape coping behaviours, or was it influenced by risk communication? Theme 4 (keeping busy) could be merged with coping strategies to reduce fragmentation. Consolidating findings into fewer, richer themes would strengthen the analysis. Discussion Begin by restating the study’s aim and summarising key findings thematically. Organise the discussion thematically rather than descriptively. Draw out implications of specific themes — e.g., how cultural stoicism shapes risk behaviours or experiences of ageism. Provide theoretical framing for your insights, particularly around coping (e.g., downward social comparison, adaptive strategies) and autonomy. Consider a brief section on intersectionality, as you allude to differential experiences (e.g., caregivers). Derrer-Merk et al. (2023) offer useful insights here. Expand on the implications of trust in government. What would have happened if this trust were absent? Reflect on the significance of adherence to restrictions. Does this represent internalised age norms, successful risk communication, or other mechanisms? Limitations Expand this section. Acknowledge potential sampling limitations (e.g., participants engaged with ARC may not represent broader populations), potential biases introduced by known participants, and limitations of retrospective reflection. Conclusion Clearly state your key contributions. Reframe “coping” as an active theme and name it explicitly. Address the implications for policy and future crisis responses, especially regarding risk communication, age-related public health interventions, and participatory decision-making. Final Remarks Your study offers meaningful insight into older adults lived experiences during an unprecedented period. With further conceptual clarity, deeper engagement with the data, and consolidation of your themes, this manuscript has strong potential to make a valuable contribution to gerontological research. This is of particular interest in the Irish context. Warm regards Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Partly Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound? Partly Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others? No If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Not applicable Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? No Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Partly References 1. Derrer-Merk E, Ferson S, Mannis A, Bentall R, et al.: Older people's family relationships in disequilibrium during the COVID-19 pandemic. What really matters?. Ageing and Society . 2024; 44 (3): 721-738 Publisher Full Text 2. Derrer-Merk E, Reyes-Rodriguez M, Soulsby L, Roper L, et al.: Older adults’ experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative systematic literature review. BMC Geriatrics . 2023; 23 (1). Publisher Full Text 3. Braun V, Clarke V: Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health . 2019; 11 (4): 589-597 Publisher Full Text 4. Baltes P, Baltes M: Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. 1990. 1-34 Publisher Full Text 5. Carstensen L: Socioemotional Selectivity Theory: The Role of Perceived Endings in Human Motivation. The Gerontologist . 2021; 61 (8): 1188-1196 Publisher Full Text 6. Carstensen L: The Influence of a Sense of Time on Human Development. Science . 2006; 312 (5782): 1913-1915 Publisher Full Text 7. Carstensen L: Evidence for a Life-Span Theory of Socioemotional Selectivity. Current Directions in Psychological Science . 1995; 4 (5): 151-156 Publisher Full Text 8. Smith M, Steinman L, Casey E: Combatting Social Isolation Among Older Adults in a Time of Physical Distancing: The COVID-19 Social Connectivity Paradox. Frontiers in Public Health . 2020; 8 . Publisher Full Text 9. Derrer‐Merk E, Reyes‐Rodriguez M, Salazar A, Guevara M, et al.: Is protecting older adults from COVID‐19 ageism? A comparative cross‐cultural constructive grounded theory from the United Kingdom and Colombia. Journal of Social Issues . 2022; 78 (4): 900-923 Publisher Full Text Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise I am an expert in qualitative research, Gerontology, older adults' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard, however I have significant reservations, as outlined above. reply Respond to this report Responses (0) Derrer-Merk E. Peer Review Report For: A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46767) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. The direct URL for this report is: https://hrbopenresearch.org/articles/8-51/v1#referee-response-46767 keyboard_arrow_left Back to all reports Reviewer Report 0 Views copyright © 2025 O'Dea E. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. 28 May 2025 | for Version 1 Eireann O'Dea , Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, Canada 0 Views copyright © 2025 O'Dea E. This is an open access peer review report distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License , which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. format_quote Cite this report speaker_notes Responses (0) Approved info_outline Alongside their report, reviewers assign a status to the article: Approved The paper is scientifically sound in its current form and only minor, if any, improvements are suggested Approved with reservations A number of small changes, sometimes more significant revisions are required to address specific details and improve the papers academic merit. Not approved Fundamental flaws in the paper seriously undermine the findings and conclusions This article is an interesting qualitative account of Irish older adults' experiences during the very early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. From the findings we learn of the adaptation strategies adopted by older adults during this unprecedented time, during which they were mandated to spend the majority of their time in isolation at home. While the data was collected over five years ago, reading these accounts now with perspective gained really highlights the need to, as described in the article, to consider the psychosocial implications of mandated isolation among older adults during future pandemics/public health crises. I enjoyed reading it. The methods section would be strengthened by providing detail on the nature of the interview, including the types of questions asked of participants. The implications section would be strengthened by describing the types of interventions used to curb the impact of public health measures to be studied, as it is unclear to the reader what this would look like. Implications for policy section is also in need of more detail- what would "education in virtual communication methods tailored to the needs of older adults" look like? Would this be the best fit considering the articles description of how, with respect to technology, "multiple challenges were also described including fear of using technology, lack of familiarity, hassle and the online experience of activities such as reading the paper or shopping not equating to a real-world experience?" I think there is an opportunity here to propose/make more specific policy and program recommendations beyond the abstract. Is the work clearly and accurately presented and does it cite the current literature? Yes Is the study design appropriate and is the work technically sound? Yes Are sufficient details of methods and analysis provided to allow replication by others? Partly If applicable, is the statistical analysis and its interpretation appropriate? Not applicable Are all the source data underlying the results available to ensure full reproducibility? Yes Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the results? Yes Competing Interests No competing interests were disclosed. Reviewer Expertise gerontology, volunteering among older adults, generativity I confirm that I have read this submission and believe that I have an appropriate level of expertise to confirm that it is of an acceptable scientific standard. reply Respond to this report Responses (0) O'Dea E. Peer Review Report For: A qualitative study of older adults’ experiences during the early outbreak phase of the COVID-19 pandemic [version 1; peer review: 1 approved, 1 approved with reservations] . HRB Open Res 2025, 8 :51 ( https://doi.org/10.21956/hrbopenres.15507.r46948) NOTE: it is important to ensure the information in square brackets after the title is included in this citation. 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