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World J Virol. May 25, 2022; 11(3): 129-136
Published online May 25, 2022. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v11.i3.129
Impact of COVID-19 on mental health and emotional well-being of older adults
Letha Mullamkuzhy Joseph
Letha Mullamkuzhy Joseph, Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Healthcare System, Durham, NC 27705, United States
Letha Mullamkuzhy Joseph, Consulting Associate, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC 27710, United States
Author contributions: Joseph LM reviewed the current literature on this topic and wrote this manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Letha Mullamkuzhy Joseph, RN, Instructor, Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center, Durham VA Healthcare System, 508 Fulton Street, Durham, NC 27705, United States. letha.joseph@va.gov
Received: February 26, 2021
Peer-review started: February 26, 2021
First decision: July 15, 2021
Revised: July 28, 2021
Accepted: April 1, 2022
Article in press: April 1, 2022
Published online: May 25, 2022
Processing time: 447 Days and 20.5 Hours
Abstract

Older adults faced unique challenges in the pandemic due to their increased vulnerability to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its complications. Pandemic-related restrictions such as physical distancing, stay-at-home orders, lock-down, and mandatory face cover affected older adults in unique ways. Additionally, older adults experienced psychosocial concerns related to discrimination based on ageism and emotional distress from exposure to conflicting messages in the media. They experienced several forms of loss and associated grief and survivor guilt. Pandemic added to their loneliness and social isolation. Furthermore, older adults experienced the fear and anxiety related to COVID and the fear of contracting the disease and dying from it. Pandemic experience included events potential to generate the desire and capability for suicide. Several studies report varying symptoms such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression among older adults during the pandemic. However, during the initial months of the pandemic, there were reports on coping and resilience among this population. The impact of COVID-19 on older adults’ mental health may have long-term implications. This narrative review examines the impact of COVID-19 on older adults’ mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. Additionally, the review highlights various factors that affected their psychosocial wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; Pandemic; Older adults; Geriatrics; Mental health; Psychosocial wellbeing

Core Tip: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disproportionately affected older adults. Several studies report varying symptoms such as loneliness, anxiety, and depression among older adults during the pandemic. However, during the initial months of the pandemic, there were reports on coping and resilience among this population. Implications of COVID-19 on older adults’ mental health can have long-lasting consequences. This review focuses on several factors that impacted older adults’ psychosocial wellbeing during the pandemic.