ABSTRACT
Objective:
to identify the main fears and level of stress regarding the New coronavirus pandemic in the aged.
Method:
cross-sectional, analytical study based on a non-probability sample by convenience composed of 25 elderly users of a public square in the municipality of Belém, Pará, Brazil, conducted from January to June 2021. The sociodemographic questionnaire, New coronavirus fear scale, and perceived stress scale were applied. The parametric t-test (p<0.05) was used.
Results:
the average age was 67.6 years, predominantly female (72%). It was evidenced that the elderly presented a moderate level of fear (p0.001) related to the fear of COVID-19 (t=0.26). Moderate level of perceived stress (p0.001) related to irritability caused by the out-of-control situation (t=0.00) prevailed.
Conclusion:
perceiving fear and stress in the elderly contributes to the development of actions by professionals to promote mental health in times of pandemic.
DESCRIPTORS:
COVID-19; Aged; Pandemic; Social Isolation; Fear