Case study research: Examining a Chinese older adult’s resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic from a life course perspective

The COVID-19 pandemic posed significant challenges, yet many older adults demonstrated resilience. This case study research with a community-dwelling Chinese immigrant woman known as Mary, examines her resilience during the pandemic and was informed by interviews and observations completed over three years. Using reflexive thematic analyses, we identified six key themes of her resilience: acceptance, spirituality, keeping physically active, strong family bonds and support, perseverance in learning, and reciprocal exchange of social support. The findings demonstrate that a life course perspective contributes to our understanding of how resilience achieved from experiencing previous events and conditions can be manifested during the recent COVID-19 pandemic. The single case study offers valuable insights for gerontological nurses where interventions in care might be to support and facilitate the abilities and strengths of older adults who have endured, responded to and tackled previous challenges, and who have brought this resilience into their old age.