Food Security, Technology Use and Access, and Wellbeing in Community-Dwelling Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionally affected older adults worsening issues like food insecurity and social isolation. Technology use could play key roles in accessing resources and maintaining well-being for this vulnerable population. The purpose of this study was to assess food security and its relationship to technology use and access and well-being in at-risk community-dwelling older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Older adults who attended congregate meal sites in November 2020 completed 606 paper and online surveys; 557 were included in the analysis. Food security was measured by the USDA Food Security Module 6-item short form. Technology use and access was measured using the National Health and Aging Trend Study survey. Well-being and social isolation questions were adapted from the Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 Survey. Chi squared analyses assessed the relationships among food security, technology, and well-being. RESULTS: Forty-two percent (n = 234) of survey respondents indicated they were food insecure during the survey period. Age 60–70 (X(2 )= 16.736, p < 0.001), Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (X(2 )= 28.727, p < 0.001), and annual household income less than $20,000 (X(2 )= 38.030, p < 0.001) were associated with food insecurity. Individuals who were food insecure were more likely to not have access to the internet (X(2 )= 22.001, n = 123, 53.9%, p < 0.001), to be extremely worried about their physical (X(2 )= 14.488, n = 132, 56.7%, p < 0.001) and mental health (X(2 )= 34,390, n = 106, 45.9%, p < 0.001), and report extreme distress (X(2 )= 43.167, n = 111, 48.3%, P < 0.001) as compared to those who were food secure. Additionally, those who reported food insecurity were more likely to feel socially isolated from others often (X(2 )= 17.458, n = 99, 43.0%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Food security in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with indicators of poor social and mental well-being and less access to the internet. Intervention addressing food security should consider addressing these factors. FUNDING SOURCES: None.