Table 2.

Changes in personal networks among the community-dwelling oldest-old persons during the first and second wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Finland.

Changes in personal networks during the first and second wave of Covid-19 pandemic among the oldest old persons	Features of each change type
Type 1: Size of the personal network reduced significantly	•Avoiding all places with a lot of people •Fear (own or others) of the virus •Restricting contacts even with the closest family •Meetings outside impossible due to own of other person's sickness or disability •A relative/friend is a caregiver for someone else and cannot leave home •Hobbies has been closed •Use of digital tools were perceived as difficult and were not applied •Relatives prohibited contacting other people
Type 2: Personal networks remained the same, but modifications in contacting other people were done based on recommendations	•Phone contacts increased •Relatives, friends and neighbors were met outside and with safety distances •Video, internet and WhatsApp contacts with the family started •Applying safer ways of greeting and meeting people, i.e., not shaking hands anymore, using face masks •Hobbies, i.e., physical activity groups, organized online
Type 3: Personal networks increased during the pandemic	•Spending more time with partner •Contacting friends and relatives who had not been contacted for a long time •More frequent online contacts with children and grandchildren •Feeling socially more connected with the neighbors •Importance of pets increased
Type 4: Significant or unexpected change in personal network happened during the pandemic	•Death of a spouse •Death of a friend •Birth of great grandchildren
Type 5: The pandemic did not influence personal networks at all	•Phone contacts with relatives and friends were as common as previously •Friends and family visited regardless of restrictions or children live close or at the same house •Current personal social network was seen as fulfilling •Enjoying time alone and having no obligations to leave home