Wednesday, March 10 2021 13:05

ArmInfo. Armenian Red Cross Society with the support of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, the Austrian-Swiss Red Cross, held two  sociological studies to identify the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic  on the elderly, persons providing professional services for the care  and volunteers of the Red Cross.

According to the press service of the Red Cross Company of the  Republic of Armenia, the study was conducted throughout Armenia and  was carried out in the context of finding out the impact of  restrictions on a pandemic for the provision of general care  assistance, as well as to determine the level of public awareness and  economic and psychological needs.

According to the results of the first survey, which was attended by  668 older people from Yerevan and seven regions, the need for home  care and its availability increases with age. "So, according to a  survey, 29.4% of respondents living in cities receive care at home,  including only 3% in rural areas. At the same time, the access of  older people to public services and infrastructure, such as public  centers, is significantly reduced. Recreation facilities, public  transport, shops, banks, "- noted in the study.

According to guardians, due to restrictions imposed due to COVID-19,  the health of the elderly, their lifestyle, financial position, the  ability to spend, political activity, the level of socialization with  family, friends and neighbors, the level of mobility and emotional  state are much worsened.  According to the survey, a third of the  respondents indicated the importance of humanitarian financial  assistance, which became more relevant in a pandemic.

At the same time, it is emphasized that on the basis of the results  and conclusions of the study, proposals for short-term and long-term  actions are developed, which will be presented to the Government of  rthe Republic of Armenia, national and international organizations,  local governments, NGOs.

At the same time, it is emphasized that the second survey was  conducted in Yerevan and in all regions of the country, 862 people  took part in it, and included all age groups over 18 years old.

"The results showed that most people perceive COVID-19 as a" virus  that may cause a disease ", and women more tend to perceive it as a  myth than men. According to a survey, people are better aware of the  transmission paths, protection and symptoms of COVID-19 than how to  get additional information and methods for contacting medical help.

Television, government officials and healthcare providers are the  most reliable sources of information. Facebook occupies 4th place  here, although it is one of the two most preferred sources of  information. Television continues to remain the most reliable source  of information for the older and middle class, while youth prefers  the Internet. According to the study, only 8.3% of respondents  mentioned cases of social stigmatization and discrimination, "the  message is noted.

Moreover, the survey revealed the deterioration of the financial  situation in 25% of respondents, and most would prefer to receive  monthly financial assistance, and another 27.2% of respondents  complained about the negative impact of the epidemic in terms of  their psychological state, which caused fears and depression.