An FAU team surveyed older adults in a retirement community about how they bounced back from adversity during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants faced challenges such as social isolation and loneliness. Half reported challenges such as anxiety or depression, and there was an increase in antidepressant and sleeping pill use.

Many also discovered new hobbies and deepened relationships with family and friends via video calls. Some drew on past experience of hardships like recessions and wars to cope. “Many… indicated that with age comes the ability to see the bigger picture. Using this perspective helped them remind themselves that difficult times are usually temporary and that it is possible to find joy and meaning even during hardship,” says researcher Patricia Liehr.

• Patricia Liehr