Objectives

This project has three main objectives:

(i) Capture and analyze the perceptions of older adults living in urban communities in Brazil, in order to identify barriers, challenges and opportunities that exist, or need to exist, to support the physical, mental and social wellbeing of this group during the pandemic COVID-19;

(ii) Investigate how interventions adopted in Brazil to reduce the transmission of COVID-19, such as isolation and social distance, impact the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older adults living in urban environments;

(iii) Develop guidelines that support the promotion of public policies that seek ageing-friendly cities and communities, in order to guarantee the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older adults in response to COVID-19 and future pandemics in Brazil.

The research questions that guide this study are:

(i) What are the implications of social isolation and distance and other measures to contain the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, such as the lockdown, on the physical, mental and social wellbeing of older adults in Brazil?

(ii) What services, amenities and resources are needed to create ageing-friendly communities that promote physical, mental and social wellbeing for older adults in Brazil during a pandemic?

(iii) How can public and urban policies support communities to better respond to the physical, mental and social wellbeing needs of older adults in Brazil during COVID-19 and future pandemics?