Abstract

IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON THE OVERALL HEALTH STATUS OF THE ELDERLY: A SHORT REVIEW

Kuntal Gupta*

ABSTRACT

Social distancing has been adopted as one of the public health measures to reduce COVID-19 transmissions in the community many countries around the world. Such measures have shown to have negative effects on the mental and physical health among the various age groups of the general population including the older adults. Outcomes of various studies across the globe reported anxiety, depression, poor sleep social distancing on mental or physical health of the elderly population during the isolation period. Researches relating to impact of COVID-19 on the general population needs to be inclusive, particularly involving older people living with frailty, cognitive impairment or multimorbidity, and those living in care homes. Changes are required in the design and delivering research for older people in a world where movement and contact are restricted. Introduction of multidimensional program involving experts from various fields such as geriatric physician, geriatric psychologists, sociologists, physiotherapists with exercise and psychological strategies are highly recommended for this population during the confinement. Future investigations are necessary in this field.

Keywords: COVID-19 pandemic, Social Isolation, Elderly, Mental Health, Physical Health.