The Impact of COVID‑19 Pandemic on Older People Mental Health

• Autor(a) principal: Pereira, Daniela
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Ferreira, Sofia, Firmino, Horácio
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.51338/rppsm.253
• topic: COVID-19; Pandemic; Mental Health; SARS‑CoV‑2; Aged; COVID-19; Pandemia; Saúde Mental; Idoso; SARS‑CoV‑2

Since the disease caused by the SARS‑CoV‑2 virus was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization, countries around the globe adopted measures of social distancing to limit the spread of the virus. Although social distancing measures are essential preventive mechanisms, they can promote feelings of loneliness and influence the onset or exacerbation of psychiatric disorders. Current knowledge about the impact of COVID‑19 on mental health – and specifically on mental health of the geriatric population ‑ is still scarce. With this non‑systematic review of literature we intend to analyze the impact of COVID‑19 pandemic, especially the containment measures enacted, on elderly’s mental health; we also aim to review measures that can mitigate this impact. There will probably be an increase in mental disorders as a result of the pandemic witch may be particularly relevant in the elderly. Recommendations to maintain the physical and mental health of the elderly have been suggested, focusing on non‑pharmacological measures.