ABSTRACT
The chapter looks into the challenges encountered and coping strategies adopted by the elderly due to the sudden lockdown during the pandemic. Combined with literature review and empirical data collection, the chapter, using a qualitative approach, captures the lived experiences of 50 elderly persons in Delhi NCR through telephonic interviews. The findings show that with disruption in routine life due to lockdown, the elderly faced various challenges in meeting their health needs besides suffering from increased anxiety, depression, fear of death, and other mental morbidities; loneliness due to social distancing along with digital disconnect, alienation, and marginalisation. Increased instances of elder abuse are reported. The chapter delineates certain suggestive interventions to ensure health and well-being of the elderly in similar crisis situations.
