ELDERLY RUSSIANS AT RISK OF COVID-19

Abstract

With the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, people over 65 became objects of special “care” and restrictions, which led to social exclusion a reduction in the living space, mobility and freedom, a decrease in the kinetic and social activity, and “secondary damage”. Following the materials of inter- views in two Russian regions (Ivanovo and Rostov regions), the authors define typical and special issues of older people, lifestyle changes in the conditions of COVID-19, reactions to restrictions and risks. An analysis of the experi- ence of the emotions feeling and reacting to changes in the “coronavirus” and “post-coronavirus” world shows the extreme heterogeneity of an elderly people group. The artificial age stratification frame of 65 years for all Russians without taking into account their own opinions, lifestyle characteristics, life goals and values, social, labor, medical, etc. status increases the segregation, exclusion, age inequality. The complexity of the social consequences of restrictions for elderly people gains newfound relevance for the application of the syndemic approach in the sociology of aging.