Hidden Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Older Adults
The COVID-19 pandemic brought a host of lasting changes to society and the daily lives of individuals. Immunocompromised individuals and others at high risk of severe COVID complications found themselves stuck at home. Older adults were hit especially hard by these changes and restrictions. Daily life for many older adults became devoid of social interaction and stimulating activities, adversely affecting their quality of life and contributing to an overall decline on several fronts.
A recent study published by the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology aimed to quantify the effects of anxiety, depression, and cognitive function on functional ability. Functional ability refers to a person’s ability to go about daily activities without undue pain or suffering, and can be further divided into mental, physical, and emotional components. Participants were assigned to either a “Tracking” or “Comprehensive” group, in which they were either only interviewed by telephone (21,241 individuals), or interviewed in addition to being physically assessed and interviewed in-person (30,097 individuals). In addition to this study of existing data, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) established the COVID-19 Questionnaire Study; the CLSA aimed to utilize the questionnaire to better understand the impact of the pandemic on older adults’ daily activities, such as running errands or socializing with friends. All participants completed a questionnaire about their self-quarantining behaviors at the beginning and the end of the study, as well as in 1-month intervals during the study. Participants were also initially screened for anxiety and depression and were asked for their perceived changes in functional ability after the study. Researchers also performed neuropsychological tests to further assess neuropsychological and functional ability, including a verbal learning task, mental alternation task, and animal identification test.
A recent study published by the Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology aimed to quantify the effects of anxiety, depression, and cognitive function on functional ability. Functional ability refers to a person’s ability to go about daily activities without undue pain or suffering, and can be further divided into mental, physical, and emotional components. Participants were assigned to either a “Tracking” or “Comprehensive” group, in which they were either only interviewed by telephone (21,241 individuals), or interviewed in addition to being physically assessed and interviewed in-person (30,097 individuals). In addition to this study of existing data, the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) established the COVID-19 Questionnaire Study; the CLSA aimed to utilize the questionnaire to better understand the impact of the pandemic on older adults’ daily activities, such as running errands or socializing with friends. All participants completed a questionnaire about their self-quarantining behaviors at the beginning and the end of the study, as well as in 1-month intervals during the study. Participants were also initially screened for anxiety and depression and were asked for their perceived changes in functional ability after the study. Researchers also performed neuropsychological tests to further assess neuropsychological and functional ability, including a verbal learning task, mental alternation task, and animal identification test.
Image Source: National Cancer Institute
Based on a study of previously hospitalized COVID-19 survivors, 36% of them experienced a functional decline, a key distinction to address as opposed to functional decline associated with the act of self-quarantining. The functional decline of survivors is further intertwined with other pre-existing conditions such as stroke or frailty.
Results from the CLSA’s study suggest those already diagnosed with anxiety or depression, along with those with higher cognitive function, experienced a greater loss in functional ability. Individuals who self-quarantined were only more likely to perceive a functional decline if they were diagnosed with average or high levels of depression.
Overall, this study exemplifies the need for further research into the impact of social isolation and other COVID-necessitated behaviors on the ability to perform daily activities. Older adults with greater cognitive ability prior to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be a target group for efforts to combat functional decline.
Results from the CLSA’s study suggest those already diagnosed with anxiety or depression, along with those with higher cognitive function, experienced a greater loss in functional ability. Individuals who self-quarantined were only more likely to perceive a functional decline if they were diagnosed with average or high levels of depression.
Overall, this study exemplifies the need for further research into the impact of social isolation and other COVID-necessitated behaviors on the ability to perform daily activities. Older adults with greater cognitive ability prior to the COVID-19 pandemic continue to be a target group for efforts to combat functional decline.
Featured Image Source: CDC
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