Effects of social isolation on a long-term care resident with dementia and depression during the COVID-19 pandemic

The older population and medically frail persons are at higher risk of severe infections and death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Long-term care (LTC) facilities are encouraged to take various actions to safeguard residents and reduce the spread of COVID-19 including by restricting visitors, which leads to isolation. The imposed isolation undermines the autonomy of older adults living in LTC facilities, especially those with dementia, and the isolation from loved ones can worsen cognition and depression. The purpose of this case report is to highlight isolation practices implemented to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in an LTC facility, which increased the social isolation and worsened cognition and depression in a resident with dementia and depression. Because many residents of LTC facilities have dementia, this case is an example of the need for interventions to support the mental health of persons living in LTC facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.