Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults: Rapid Review

Abstract

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the lives of countless members of the general population. Older adults are known to experience loneliness, age discrimination, and excessive worry. It is therefore reasonable to anticipate that they would experience greater negative outcomes related to the COVID-19 pandemic given their increased isolation and risk for complications than younger adults. Objective This study aims to synthesize the existing research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated isolation and protective measures, on older adults. The secondary objective is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and associated isolation and protective measures, on older adults with Alzheimer disease and related dementias. Methods A rapid review of the published literature was conducted on October 6, 2020, through a search of 6 online databases to synthesize results from published original studies regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults. The Human Development Model conceptual framework–Disability Creation Process was used to describe and understand interactions between personal factors, environmental factors, and life habits. Methods and results are reported following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Statement. Results A total of 135 records were included from the initial search strategy of 13,452 individual studies. Of these, 113 (83.7%) studies were determined to be of level 4 according to the levels of evidence classification by the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. The presence of psychological symptoms, exacerbation of ageism, and physical deterioration of aged populations were reported in the included studies. Decreased social life and fewer in-person social interactions reported during the COVID-19 pandemic were occasionally associated with reduced quality of life and increased depression. Difficulties accessing services, sleep disturbances, and a reduction of physical activity were also noted. Conclusions Our results highlight the need for adequate isolation and protective measures. Older adults represent a heterogeneous group, which could explain the contradictory results found in the literature. Individual, organizational, and institutional strategies should be established to ensure that older adults are able to maintain social contacts, preserve family ties, and maintain the ability to give or receive help during the current pandemic. Future studies should focus on specific consequences and needs of more at-risk older adults to ensure their inclusion, both in public health recommendations and considerations made by policy makers.

Are Sleep Problems Related to Psychological Distress in Healthy Aging during the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Review

“…In Italy, for instance, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has undermined psychological wellbeing: isolation, fear of being infected by the virus, and feelings of frustration, anxiety, boredom, and uncertainty have affected daily functioning and sleep [49]. Social distancing and isolation can lead to depressive symptoms by exacerbating worries and loneliness, leading to more negative outcomes related to the COVID-19 lockdown [50]. Furthermore, restrictive measures may also have a negative impact on the cognitive functioning of older adults [51].…”

Measures of self- and other-directed ageism and worries concerning COVID-19 health consequences: Results from a nationally representative sample of Israelis over the age of 50

“…Our main interest was to examine the role of ageism, both directed towards one-self, in the form of self-perceptions of aging (SPA) and perceived to be directed by others based on one's age. This is because, in addition to its health and mortality impact, the pandemic has a major psychological and social impact [7,8]. With regard to older adults, ageism, defined as stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination based on age, has been noted as a major side effect spreading at least as fast as the virus [9][10][11].…”

A regression discontinuity analysis of the social distancing recommendations for older adults in Sweden during COVID-19

“…9 However, the body of evidence on the pandemic's impact on older adults' mental health is inconsistent, according to a recent review. 36 Nonetheless, it is still important to account for adverse effects and other unintended consequences to understand the recommendation's net impact on health and welfare. When the age-specific recommendations were withdrawn, they were followed by recommendations to meet in "social bubbles", i.e., limiting one's social contacts by only meeting with the same people, whether family, friends, or co-workers.…”