Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic had imposed a city-level quarantine, local lockdown, and border closures for patient-level isolation to control virus spread. There is a lack of studies on the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the elderly in countries like India during COVID-19. After obtaining written informed consent from the elderly patients, data was recorded in the case record form-cum-questionnaire. The quality of life was assessed with the help of Centers for disease control and prevention (CDC) HRQoL-14 measures, which are based on general health improvement, physical and mental health, and its effect on usual activities like self-care, work, or play, sadness, depression, worry, tension, or anxiety, and rest or sleep. A total of 331 patients were screened and 234 were enrolled in this study, with 220 patients completing their follow-up. Among them, 55.43% were retired elderly, 31.82% were unemployed and 21.36% were living alone. After one month, 49 patients had days of poor physical health which was significantly below baseline (70 patients). More patients had poor mental health in the first 15 days as compared to the time of recruitment. At end of 1 month, self-care, work, and recreational activities were affected in 11 patients, with a significant reduction from baseline in 21 patients. Elderly patients felt sad and depressed and did not get enough sleep in the first 7 days and were worried, tense and anxious in the initial 15 days, which improved after 1 month. A significant number of patients had improved activity limitations because of the COVID-19 pandemic at the end of 1 month. The COVID-19 pandemic had made a significant impact on physical and mental health. A system of mental and psychological health support for the elderly during isolation should be developed. Engaging the elderly in cognitively stimulating mental exercises through apps, limiting exposure to social media, and setting up helplines for the elderly may be helpful in this regard.
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