Before the COVID-19 pandemic, social network support was identified as a critical element in older adults' wellbeing. According to Kaniasty (1), social support and social connectedness have substantial immediate effects on older adults' health and wellbeing during natural disasters. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and the non-pharmaceutical preventive measures, such as social distancing, limited face-to-face contacts, staying at home (2), as well as the exposure of vulnerable groups, like older adults have critically altered the operations of relationships worldwide. Evidence suggests that restrictions and regulations to prevent the rapid spread of infection have been tightened for older adults, resulting in a significant shift in their social relations (3). For instance, a large population study of older adults conducted in the United States of America and Denmark (1,013) found that older adults faced emotional loneliness after the stay-at-home orders were implemented (4, 5).

In an attempt to understand the state of social networks, it is necessary to highlight the different non-pharmaceutical measures and their impact on social networks. As indicated earlier, these COVID-19 precautionary measures include social distancing, staying at home, reduction in face-to-face interaction including the lack of physical contact with friends and neighbors, as well as the ban on social activities. These restrictions may pose multiple risks of stress, loneliness, stigma, and trauma-informed PTSD to all persons including older adults (2). Additionally, they seem to have worsened previously existing social networks with families, friends, and neighbors, which serve as a social support system for older adults. In extreme cases, these measures may be difficult for older adults to cope with since their physical and mental health is heavily reliant on their social interaction. Without doubt, WHO—imposed restrictions by the various governments placed many older adults' daily life activities and social networks in limbo.

Multiple studies have revealed that older adults with strong social networks have better mental health (6–8). Significantly, social networks serve as a substantial source of personal happiness (9). However, the growing burden of infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 has begun to have a negative impact on the importance of social networks for the wellbeing of older adults. Older adults with one or two comorbidities have a higher risk of being infected with COVID-19 and experiencing episodes of mortality (10–12). A preliminary study conducted on COVID-19 patients in Ghana showed that people with the most common underlying illnesses, such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease were diagnosed with COVID-19 (13). This places older adults, particularly those suffering from diabetes and hypertension, at a higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 (14), resulting in an increase in stress, depression, and isolation during the peak of COVID-19 (2).

It is reported that most older adults are unable to carry out daily tasks without assistance (15, 16). In Ghana, for example, older adults are treated with dignity and respect, and they require assistance to carry out their daily activities (15, 17). The support provided by relatives or close kin, marriage partners, friends, and social capital are considered as social networks, enabling many older adults to remain in their homes (18), considering their need for long-term care (15). Among these networks, kin or family ties play a central role in older adults' wellbeing in Ghana (19). It is perceived that older adults who interact with each other more and their support networks frequently appear to have fewer depressive symptoms (20). But in recent times, growing old, on the other hand, has become a burden in Ghana because the availability of caregivers is uncertain (15).

While research on COVID-19 (21–23) has begun to examine social support networks among older adults living in developed countries, a few studies (24–26) have examined these issues within the context of Ghana. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of older adults and the impact of COVID-19 on their social networks and support systems during the peak of COVID-19.

In this study, we employed a qualitative phenomenological approach to explore the experiences of older adults regarding their social networks in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Phenomenology was selected because it focuses on older adults' perceptions and experiences and involves thoughtful planning and skillful interviewing (27). This approach is appealing for this study because it helps to explore the feelings, experiences, as well as health problems from the perspective of older adults in the context under study (28). Furthermore, the approach requires researchers to collect data, analyze it, and report on the findings of individuals' lived experiences (29). Therefore, the role of the researchers was to understand, interpret and report on the state of social networks among older adults and how COVID-19 has complicated such bonds.

Participants were from the Jamestown community, and they included 10 females and five males. The data is organized according to the primary themes that emerged from the analysis. We also examined and presented the findings based on the themes that emerged during the interviews. These are “participants' perception of COVID-19,” “relationships with people before and during COVID-19,” and “depression, and loneliness.”

In this study, we have documented the experiences of older adults, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their social support networks, which has disrupted many people's lives. Participants who had been exposed to COVID-19 but were not infected at the time of the investigation provided the perspectives reflected in this study. The outcomes of the findings indicated that participants draw on the following themes connected to older adult opinions on the impact of COVID-19: perception about COVID-19, older adults' relationships with social networks (family, friends, community), limited socialization, stress, depression, and loneliness. Participants specifically stated that the COVID-19 preventative measures like stay-at-home and lockdown, which included limited movement, increased loneliness, and stress among older adults. Even though participants described their social networks as diverse and helpful, the psychological distress associated with the COVID-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc on their relationships. Primarily, the findings demonstrated, first and foremost, that the benefits of social networks influenced the outcome of older adults' wellbeing, which had previously relied on family systems and community assistance had fallen short of expectations during COVID-19.

Participants highlighted several changes that had affected their networks and care systems. COVID-19 precautionary measures, such as social distancing, and reducing physical and face-to-face interactions with friends and family members, for example, have been reported to disrupt relationships among older adults and their social networks, confirming an increase in social isolation (34, 35). For example, it has been established that being in regular contact with social networks promotes life satisfaction and reduces depression and isolation in older adults (36). However, the fear of getting infected with or passing the virus to others exacerbated the lack of support for older adults from family and friends and the healthcare system.

The study found that the effects of COVID-19 on participants' social support networks has resulted in widespread stress, sadness, and loneliness among older persons, which was predicted by multiple previous studies (37–39). On the other hand, some studies have indicated that social isolation caused by non-pharmaceutical pandemic measures did not result in increase in loneliness (40, 41). Nonetheless, majority of the participants expressed dissatisfaction with the COVID-19 precautionary measures, claiming that they have been cut off from their families, friends, and neighbors. It is important to add that few participants reported using their cellphones to contact friends and family. Watching television verified the use of digital technology as a new method for older folks to maintain frequent social ties (26). Evidence suggests social networks plays an important role in assisting individuals, including older adults, during natural catastrophes and pandemics (42). However, the study revealed that COVID-19 has rendered the social support networks of older adults ineffective, since many older persons and their families are financially stressed, their children are jobless, and they have poor living conditions. Therefore, these findings may further be linked to socio-economic disadvantaged (43), which causes majority of vulnerable people to be impoverished, as well as poor distribution of pension income by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust [SSNIT] to retirees in Ghana (44).

Another major theme in this study was the loneliness that resulted from the COVID-19, particularly during the lockdown period. The loneliness experienced by older persons in this study confirms pervious report by the World Health Organization's (2) argument that the disruption of social networks linked to COVID-19 may negatively affect older adults' mental health and psychological well-being (45). The deleterious effects of COVID-19 on older adults are discovered to be exacerbated by lockdown, causing psychological problems (43, 46). Loneliness has been reported as one of the COVID-19 prevalence consequences, ensuing disruption of social networks (42, 47–50). These scholars have emphasized the necessity of equipping family members and relatives and residential care homes to assist the elderly in their care. It is commonly established that the support and wellness of older adults, particularly older persons with strong networks, will work more efficiently when viewed through the lens of social networks. The relevance of engaging in social networks for the mental health and wellbeing of older adults give them a sense of belonging and remove stigmatization during pandemics.

The findings suggest that participants experienced stress and depression as a result of fear and anxiety. The fear of getting infected and the misinformation about the COVID-19 pandemic created tension among people across the world. This situation has rendered most older adults isolated and stigmatized since they have limited access to perform their daily activities and less interaction with family members, friends, and associations. This backs up a slew of evidence of isolation and stigmatization issues that have been highlighted in several COVID-19 research and reports (51, 52). As a result, older adults are more likely to experience social isolation and loneliness. Members of a traditional African community, such as Jamestown, are identified and associated with one another, allowing them to socialize without fear, whereas COVID-19 has made it difficult to do so. This indicates that there is a need for the government to strengthen its policies and pay critical attention to the rights of older adults.

Even though participants were severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, findings revealed that some older adults in Jamestown remain skeptical about the pandemic's reality. They believed the virus, which is found to be airborne, could not survive in a salty environment. In addition, participants indicated that many deaths had been reported in Jamestown community, which they believed were unrelated to COVID-19. But the fact that some participants agree that no one had been infected or died from the virus was a high point in this study.

For scholars working in the COVID-19 literature, particularly in Ghana, this study is significant from a methodological standpoint. COVID-19 has been the subject of several investigations (23–26, 53), but this study primarily reports the voices and perspectives of older adults in Jamestown community. Previous studies on the impact of COVID-19 on older persons in Ghana was based on analysis of the state of older adults' social support networks preceding up to COVID-19 (25, 48), this empirical study evaluates information gathered through interviews. This appears to be a bold step in the direction of conveying the story of those who are susceptible to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the present study's sample size was hampered by COVID-19 restrictions, which have affected face-to-face physical contact interactions. Wu and McGoogan (34) reported that the increased mortality rate reflects the aging population's inherent biological, social, and psychological vulnerabilities. While the study points to a growing fear of COVID-19 among older adults, chronic diseases still pose a significant threat to the health and wellbeing of many older adults. The prevalence of fear and depression accompanied by COVID-19 as documented in this study should be a concern for social workers, advocates, and the government to improve the work of social workers such that family ties, friends, and neighbors can offer long-term assistance to older adults in Ghana (48). Policymakers should consider allocating greater resources to caregivers and institutional care interventions, especially for older adults who are living in vulnerable communities with poor conditions and without proper accommodation.

Morgan and Awafo (54) reported that the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed a heavy burden on individuals' wellbeing, the world economies, financial, healthcare systems, and lifestyles, which are under distinct threats. The data available indicates that more than 95% of COVID-19 deaths are found among older adults over 60 years of age, and half of all deaths occur at 80 years-plus (2). Early reports suggested that older adults with chronic diseases like diabetes 2 and high blood pressure are more vulnerable to coronavirus disease due to their weak immune systems (2). Research has shown that an estimated 66% of people aged 60 years and over, at least, have one underlying condition, placing them at a higher risk of COVID-19 (55). Furthermore, depression, suicide, stress and substantial mental health issues are all outcomes connected to COVID-19, as well as discrimination, stigma and the disruption of social networks (55). Furthermore, this study, done in Jamestown-Accra, cannot represent widespread opinion due to variances in perceptions of the COVID-19 pandemic and inequitable living conditions among Ghana's older adults. As a result, more research into this phenomenon is required to portray the whole picture of COVID-19 and social networks among Ghana's older individuals.

Nonetheless, this study adds to our knowledge of the state of social networks among older adults in the face of pandemics in the 21st century. The study's strength lies in the fact that it analyzes and interprets data derived from empirical data. Nonetheless, the study's conclusions are limited because they cannot be applied to Ghana's broader population of older adults. Although COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Jamestown, the experiences and problems may not have been the same. These findings show that efforts to advocate for older individuals' rights and a collaborative and integrative approach to helping them should not be overlooked.

Covid-19 has disrupted older adult's long-lasting social networks resulting in mental and psychological issues such as worry about finances and wellbeing among older adults worldwide. This study has revealed that there is a pressing need to reconsider the professional services of gerontologists, social workers, community outreach workers, and philanthropists in mitigating loneliness among older adults in future pandemics. Strong activism is required to assure the passage of an aging bill that will improve the lives of older adults in the event of future pandemics. Moreover, the project featuring technological advancement and accessibility should be embarked to help older adults social through social media even in lockdowns.

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

The studies involving human participants were reviewed and approved by the study was proceeded by acquiring a formal ethical clearance certificate (ref: CHRPE/AP/108/21) from the Committee on Human Research, Publication, and Ethics (CHRPE) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. The patients/participants provided their written informed consent to participate in this study.

All authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.