Landscape of Isolation: Covid-19 and Geriatric Mental Health

INTRODUCTION: The current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the forums, methods, and content of our human communication, with the efforts towards reducing viral transmission and protecting vulnerable groups. The elderly population, particularly the population in long term care, have been especially exposed to both the risk of viral transmission, due to the communal housing aspect of long term care facilities, and the mental and physical aspects of quarantine, due to the policy of physical isolation. This review aims to examine current research on how the impact of age and physical environment during the pandemic has formed disparities in mental health and healthcare delivery. METHODS: A focused literature search was carried out using PubMed. The following search terms were used: (Covid isolation geriatric psychiatry) and (Loneliness geriatric psychiatry COVID) and (COVID geriatric mental health), results were by two independent reviewers for high-quality reviews, meta-analyses, and descriptive studies. RESULTS: Literature robustly suggests that the isolation caused by national lockdowns has increased loneliness, depressive feelings, anxiety levels, and suicide rates in the geriatric population. These psychological symptoms can also have an impact on physical health. Studies have shown an association between isolation and high blood pressure, cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, diminished immune system functioning, coronary heart disease, obesity, anxiety, and depression. Prevention methods that have been considered include increasing virtual social interaction and engaging in more physical activity to reduce depressive symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental health in the geriatric population. Isolation and lockdown measures have been implemented to protect physical health, but there are major consequences including increased depression and suicide rates. It is important to raise awareness of this ongoing public health issue so that solutions can be implemented to restore social interaction and prevent these psychological symptoms. THIS RESEARCH WAS FUNDED BY: NA