The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown rules on the socio-psychological condition of the people over 65 in Azerbaijan

The new coronavirus (Covid-19) epidemic, was first detected in Azerbaijan in February 2020. This epidemic, in addition to the impact on human health, has had a negative impact across the country for the economy, tourism, social relations and the conditions necessary for human life. International reports show that the group most at risk of the pandemic is the older population.The coronavirus pandemic has disproportionately affected this group, both in terms of hospitalizations and deaths, but also by the consequences of restrictions on social contact resulting in physical de-conditioning and worsened mental health (Briguglio, 2020 [1]) which caused them to be more vulnerable to the other socio-cultural and economic factors. I contend that the global research response to the COVID-19 pandemic has not been focused on the general needs of older people; rather research has focused on treatment more than prevention or rehabilitation, on hospital care rather than community care, on counting deaths rather than measuring function and on younger people rather than older people (Fraser, 2020 [2], Lithander, 2020 [3]). The consequences of the pandemic not only affect the health of the elderly, but also their psychological, physiological and social status. Thus, isolationist speeches against them, such as self-loathing, death phobia, loss of contact with peers, make life difficult for them. They thought that if they contracted the virus, their lives would end, their beliefs about overcoming the disease would weaken, and their failure to continue their social life as usual would lead to depression. Indeed, recently Soto-Perez-de-Celis (2020 [4]) has claimed that there are negative social media messages about COVID-19 and aging, often characterizing older adults as helpless and expendable individuals. Kluge (2020 [5]), WHO Regional Director for Europe, addressing journalists at a virtual press briefing said “I am reminding governments and authorities that all communities must be supported to deliver interventions to ensure older people have what they need. All