COVID mitigation response for the elderly

The project will study the effects of monthly old age pension receipt on elderly individuals’ ability to cope with the COVID crisis in Tamil Nadu, India. The team will conduct two phone surveys, the first of which will generate information on elderly individuals’ knowledge of the crisis, COVID symptoms, and how to seek care; food security and financial ability to meet daily expenses; and mental health, social interactions, and wellbeing. The team will immediately share findings with the government of Tamil Nadu to better target COVID-mitigation activities. The second survey will follow up with these individuals to study the extent to which old age pensions were able to mitigate detrimental effects of COVID-related lockdowns on elderly well-being. Insights provided by this research will help to inform the government’s efforts to support elderly individuals in Tamil Nadu during the COVID-19 and future crises.