Tilda Study Finds Many Older People Experienced Heightened Loneliness At The Outset Of The Pandemic.

Thursday, 19 August 2021 10:03

Image: Tilda "In Their Own Words" report cover.

4,000 people took part in the study.

A study by Tilda has found many older people experienced heightened loneliness at the outset of the Covid 19 pandemic, and felt they were being neglected.

The survey looked at the experiences of 4,000 older people, from March 2020 onwards.

20% of respondents felt they had the capacity to cope or demonstrated resilience to the challenges of the public health emergency, while a similar percentage of people referred to increased feelings of social isolation or loneliness.

Others voiced their frustration at feeling neglected and disregarded by the media or public health commentators, and a dislike of the word ‘cocooning’.

Most participants had a strong desire to meet up with children and grandchildren, as well as other family and friends.

Prof. Rose-Anne Kenny is Principal Investigator and Founder of TILDA, The Irish Longditudinal Study on Ageing.

She joined Clem Ryan on Thursday's edition of Kildare Today:

Our latest report highlights the voices of our TILDA participants who shared their challenges, optimism and resilience during #Covid_19 restrictions & lockdown. #WednesdayWisdom https://t.co/X7nlSJMpCQ https://t.co/rcwH3OPi8K
— TILDA (@tilda_tcd) August 18, 2021

More from Local News

Call For Sanitary Bins In Men’s Toilets To Support Prostate Cancer Survivors

Audio

Each year, around 4000 men in Ireland are diagnosed with the disease, with research from PHS and the Irish Cancer Society finding more than half of men with incontinence feel anxious because of poor toilet facilities.
Own-Brand Foods Often Produced By Same Factories As Big Labels, Says Money Doctor John Lowe

Choosing own-brand products can also save money, with Lowe noting that many supermarket labels are produced by the same manufacturers as well-known brands.
Kfm Strengthens Position As Kildare’s Most Listened-To Station, According To Latest Ipsos/MRBI Report

Kfm CEO Clem Ryan said: “This latest research is a major reflection of the power of local radio, which showcases local issues , and where advertisers reach their target customers in real time."
Quarter Of Uisce Éireann Staff Earned Over €100k Last Year

Audio

Officials from Uisce Eireann are appearing before the Public Accounts Committee, outlining the company’s financial statements for 2024.
Meath Bird Flu Case Prompts Warning, But Chicken And Turkey Safe To Eat, Says Agriculture Minister

Audio

After confirmed cases in Carlow and Cork, the Department of Agriculture is imposing a mandatory order for all poultry and captive birds to be kept indoors from next Monday.
One-Month Road Closure In Catherinestown To Start Next Week To Facilitate Maynooth Pipeline Works

The road will shut from the junction with the L5050 at Catherinstown to the L1015 at Kellystown from November 10th to December 6th.
Commuter Chaos On M7/N7 Renews Calls For Standby Emergency Response Team During Morning Gridlock

Minister for Public Expenditure and Infrastructure Jack Chambers said he would ask Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Minister Of Transport to better resource the response to certain incidents.
Thousands Of Workers Could Get Tax Back In Time For Christmas, Says Financial Advisor

People can also claim on GP visits, prescriptions and rent - along with flat rate expenses for certain professions.