CARING FOR OLDER ADULTS WITH MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS DURING THE PANDEMIC

Abstract

Older adults (65 years or older) are prone to various mental health disorders, which require appropriate care. Mental illnesses like depression, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, among others, increase cognitive deterioration, which leads to dependence on normal activities in life. During pandemics like COVID-19 and Ebola, the mentally ill older adults are highly susceptible to increased morbidity, mortality rates and reduced quality and social life hence require appropriate care. Pandemic occurrence is a concern and worry for the mentally ill older adults since they have an increased vulnerability and are highly dependent on help and care. Moreover, a pandemic like COVID-19 may lead to neurological and mental health complications, which may adversely affect the mentally ill older adults. During the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, older adults were more likely to be infected with the virus and have worse outcomes than their younger counterparts. Similarly, morbidity and mortality rates were highest among older adults who had co-occurring conditions such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease, and chronic kidney disease. Older adults were also susceptible to loneliness and social exclusion. The risk factors that were associated with worsening of physical, psychological, and social well-being among these individuals included age, ageism, isolation, loneliness, lack of security, frailty dependency, sexism, stigma, abuse, and cognitive and sensory impairments. The pandemic also had a significant effect on the mental health of older adults.