Introduction: Aging impacts the size of a person’s social network; simultaneously, the social network affects the aging, promotion, and expansion of the personal social network. For many older people, social inclusion and social contacts represent an occupation. With high-quality social contacts, they feel belonging and security. During the COVID- 19 epidemic, however, in accordance with the measures and the fact that they belong to an at-risk group, they found themselves in social isolation, which had a negative impact on their health. They experienced feelings of anger, sadness, fear, boredom, loneliness, and loss of motivation. They were forced to adapt their social contacts and activities, which represent a significant obstacle for many. Purpose: To investigate the importance of maintaining social contact for users of social welfare institutions during the COVID-19 epidemic, how social isolation during COVID-19 affects the well-being of people over 65, and what occupational therapists’ role was during the epidemic. Methods: A qualitative approach was used. A semi-structured interview was conducted with five people over the age of 65 who were included in a social welfare institution during the COVID-19 epidemic. Qualitative content analysis was used. A deductive approach was used in coding. Results: In the analysis, we obtained three categories: social isolation, the impact of social isolation on health, and occupation. The subcategories we extracted are an emotional response to social isolation, the impact of social isolation on health, limitations, the adaptation of social contacts, feelings regarding changed social contacts, maintenance of occupations, loss of occupations, adaptations of occupation, and new occupations. Discussion and conclusion: Social relations and inclusion in activities were of vital importance for people over the age of 65 in social welfare institutions during the COVID-19 epidemic. With the adapted maintenance of social contact through modern technology, the elderly gained a sense of belonging. They maintained cognitive and physical abilities and overcame the loneliness and boredom that accompanied them during social isolation. During the COVID-19 epidemic, occupational therapists played a significant role in adapting social contacts and activities. They allowed the elderly to maintain their roles and occupations, which they could carry out with help from adaptations to the established social welfare institution.
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