The longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults

Abstract

In earlier survey research, we observed a severe impact of the first peak of the COVID-19 pandemic on the subjective wellbeing, sleep and activity of adults aged 65 years or older in Flanders, Belgium. The impact on subjective cognitive functioning, however, was limited. Since then, periods of lockdown and periods with less strict regulations alternated, but social distancing remained, especially for older adults. To study the longer-term impact of the pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning, we re-assessed the older adults from the first measurement moment (n = 371) in a second (June-July 2020) and third (December 2020) wave of the survey. Results indicated that wellbeing fluctuated with the severity of the pandemic. Results for self-reported cognitive functioning were mixed. While participants indicated a slightly better general cognitive functioning at the end of the study, experienced problems with most cognitive subdomains significantly increased over time. The presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms influenced the longer-term impact of the pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning. Our study shows the long-lasting impact of the pandemic on the wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults, without full recovery from the first wave.