Determination of the Care Needs of Individuals Over 65 in\rthe COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the\rcare needs of individuals over 65 during the coronavirus disease-2019\r(COVID-19) pandemic. Material and Methods: The study was carried\rout phenomenologically with a qualitative approach using semi-structured\rinterviews. It was conducted with 15 individuals over 65 living in various\rgeographical regions in Türkiye. The data were collected through phone\rinterviews and analyzed using Colaizzi’s seven-step method. Results: The\rsociodemographic data of the individuals demonstrated that eight participants\rwere male and seven were female. The mean age was 71.4±6.25\r(minimum-maximum, 65-82). Ten of them were single, seven were 65-70\ryears old, and ten were retired. Eleven of them were primary school graduates.\rAll individuals over the age of sixty-five have health insurance. In\raddition, 14 of the individuals have chronic physical illness and 2 have\rchronic mental illness. In this study, the findings of COVID-19 were analyzed\rand it is divided into 2 categories as properties and unmet needs. In\rthe category of characteristics of COVID-19, perceived characteristics, experienced\rwhile results and management/coping styles were the determined\rthemes, physical, psychological, social, and information themes were the\rthemes identified in the unmet needs category. Over the age of 65 in the\rprocess of the COVID-19 pandemic shopping, paying the bills and walking\rcodes are in the first place on the theme of physically unmet needs of\rindividuals, while reputation and independence codes are in the first place\ron the theme of spiritually unmet side needs has been identified. Finally, the\rcodes of not being able to communicate with loved ones and participate in\rthe community were included in the socially unmet needs. Conclusion:\rThe study revealed that individuals over 65 need support to improve their\rquality of care during the pandemic. They found COVID-19 deadly and\rdangerous, and they experienced anxiety and fear during this period. They\rhad difficulties in activities such as shopping, paying the bills, and taking\rmedicine, and their needs are met by others. They experienced problems\rabout independence, dignity, lack of satisfaction of love needs, and limited\rcommunication with loved ones, leading to disruptions in the quality\rof life.