Reducing Social Isolation of Seniors during COVID-19 through Medical Student Telephone Contact

Office, Emma; Rodenstein, Marissa S.; Merchant, Tazim; Pendergrast, Tricia; Lindquist, Lee A.

doi:10.1016/j.jamda.2020.06.003

Cited by 75 publications

(78 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…These findings lead to the suggestion that higher social engagement and support experienced both before and during lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic might have had a protective/mitigating role by contributing to cognitive (51) and affective reserve (52). During the past few months we have witnessed a widespread mobilisation of people volunteering to offer support to the more vulnerable individuals in our societies and contributing to reduce social isolation (53). It is probably due to such fast society-wide changes that many older adults also felt to be part of a common effort to limit the spreading of COVID-19 and, as a consequence, experienced less loneliness despite an initial increase in the first phase of lockdown (54).…”

Section: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms In People In Social Isolation Due mentioning

confidence: 94%

The Impact of COVID-19 Infection and Enforced Prolonged Social Isolation on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults With and Without Dementia: A Review

2020

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Background: The sudden and drastic changes due to the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic have impacted people's physical and mental health. Clinically-vulnerable older people are more susceptible to severe effects either directly by the COVID-19 infection or indirectly due to stringent social isolation measures. Social isolation and loneliness negatively impact mental health in older adults and may predispose to cognitive decline. People with cognitive impairments may also be at high risk of worsening cognitive and mental health due to the current pandemic. This review provides a summary of the recent literature on the consequences of COVID-19, due to either viral infection or social isolation, on neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with and without dementia. Methods: A search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science to identify all relevant papers published up to the 7th July 2020. Two independent assessors screened and selected the papers suitable for inclusion. Additional suitable papers not detected by literature search were manually added. Results: Fifteen articles were included: 8 focussed on the psychiatric symptoms caused by the COVID-19 infection and 7 investigated the impact of social isolation on older adults' neuropsychiatric symptoms. Four studies included older adults without dementia and 11 included patients with cognitive impairment mainly due to Alzheimer's disease. All studies found that different neuropsychiatric symptoms emerged and/or worsened in older adults with and without dementia. These changes were observed as the consequence of both COVID-19 infection and of the enforced prolonged conditions of social isolation. Cases were reported of viral infection manifesting with delirium at onset in the absence of other symptoms. Delirium, agitation and apathy were the symptoms most commonly detected, especially in people with dementia. Conclusion: The available evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has a wide negative impact on the mental well-being of older adults with and without dementia. Manca et al. Ageing and COVID-19 Neuropsychiatric Complications Viral infection and the consequent social isolation to limit its spreading have a range of neuropsychiatric consequences. Larger and more robustly designed studies are needed to clarify such effects and to assess the long-term implications for the mental health of older adults, and to test possible mitigating strategies.

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Section: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms In People In Social Isolation Due mentioning

confidence: 94%

The Impact of COVID-19 Infection and Enforced Prolonged Social Isolation on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults With and Without Dementia: A Review

2020

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“…Moreover, the family should be encouraged to contact these individuals more frequently, as well as voluntary organizations and community projects should provide similar support for this group ( Armitage and Nellums, 2020 ). Indeed, the phone call outreach program promoted by the Northwestern University in Chicago, Seniors Overcoming Social Isolation, has been developed with the purpose of minimizing social disconnection among the elderly and providing significant engagement with the community ( Office et al, 2020 ). Older adults must also be stimulated to leave their room or even perform outdoor activities when possible ( Plagg et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Measures Adopted To Minimize Behavioral and Psychological Comentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At last, the community should be encouraged to not comply with ageist content and to recognize the immense value and contribution of the senior citizens to the society ( Jimenez-Sotomayor et al, 2020 ). Furthermore, intergenerational contact ought to be stimulated, as it promotes mental health benefits for both the parties involved ( Jimenez-Sotomayor et al, 2020 ; Office et al, 2020 ).…”

Section: Measures Adopted To Minimize Behavioral and Psychological Comentioning

confidence: 99%

Emotional, Behavioral, and Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

et al. 2020

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The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in December 2019 prompted consternation in many parts of the world. Due to its fast dissemination, the World Health Organization declared a pandemic in March 2020. Aiming to contain the spread of the virus, leaders of many countries restrained social movement, targeting to flatten the curve of contamination with social distancing. This review aimed to analyze how human behavior has changed throughout this period. We also approached the key components of the emotional reaction to the pandemic, how internal and external factors, such as personality traits, gender, the media, the economy and the governmental response, influence the social perception of the pandemic and the psychological outcomes of the current scenario. Moreover, we explored in depth the groups at increased risk of suffering mental health burden secondary to these circumstances. These include the healthcare professionals, elderly individuals, children, college students, black subjects, latin and LGBTQ+ communities, economically disadvantaged groups, the homeless, prisoners, the rural population and psychiatric patients. We also discussed several measures that might minimize the emotional impact derived from this scenario. It is crucial that the health authorities, the government and the population articulate to assist the vulnerable groups and promote emotional and psychological support strategies. Moreover, it is fundamental that the population is provided with accurate information concerning the COVID-19 pandemic.

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“…For example, the American telephone call outreach program "Seniors Overcoming Social Isolation" is one of the first evaluated programs that targets this issue. Healthcare providers referred older caredependent adults who might be at risk of social isolation to the program [32]. Medical and nursing students proceeded to call these adults, aiming to provide support and to train their own age-specific and context-specific communication skills.…”

Section: Psychosocial Support For Vulnerable Older Adults In the Timementioning

confidence: 99%

Current state of research on psychotherapy for home-living vulnerable older adults with depression

et al. 2020

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Older home-living vulnerable adults often suffer from chronic conditions accompanied by restrictions in mobility, social participation and reduced independence. Among this rapidly growing population depression is a common and serious health problem; however, there are shortcomings in the diagnosis of depression and provision of psychotherapy. Despite growing evidence in treating depression among the group of nursing home residents or the “young-old”, there is a research gap regarding needs-oriented healthcare strategies for very old, frail or care-dependent older adults living at home. The present article provides an overview of different outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment approaches for vulnerable older adults with depression, in particular adaptations tailored to those who are homebound or in need of care. Based on the current state of research, this article derives recommendations for psychotherapy in this special setting to consider the physical and psychosocial resources of this patient group. Furthermore, healthcare strategies for embedding psychotherapy in collaborative, telehealth or home-delivered healthcare services are described and their applicability as psychosocial support for older adults during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is discussed. Psychotherapy is an efficacious treatment for depression in home-living vulnerable older adults. Further implementing telehealth or home delivered settings, individually tailored psychotherapeutic approaches as well as collaborative and stepped care approaches can increase utilization and medical supply of this patient group. More research and innovative programs are needed to improve access to and provision of psychotherapeutic care as well as their social inclusion.

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Reducing Social Isolation of Seniors during COVID-19 through Medical Student Telephone Contact

Cited by 75 publications

References 10 publications

The Impact of COVID-19 Infection and Enforced Prolonged Social Isolation on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults With and Without Dementia: A Review

The Impact of COVID-19 Infection and Enforced Prolonged Social Isolation on Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Older Adults With and Without Dementia: A Review

Emotional, Behavioral, and Psychological Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Current state of research on psychotherapy for home-living vulnerable older adults with depression

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