scholarly journals A Study of the Association between the Stringency of Covid-19 Government Measures and Depression in Older Adults across Europe and Israel

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (15) ◽  
pp. 8017
Author(s):  
Gina Voss ◽  
Andreia F. Paiva ◽  
Alice Delerue Matos
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Direct Impact ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Profound Impact ◽  
Psychological Risk ◽  
Anxiety Depression ◽  
Southern European Countries

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is having major adverse consequences for the mental health of individuals worldwide. Alongside the direct impact of the virus on individuals, government responses to tackling its spread, such as quarantine, lockdown, and physical distancing measures, have been found to have a profound impact on mental health. This is manifested in an increased prevalence of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. As older adults are more vulnerable and severely affected by the pandemic, they may be at increased psychological risk when seeking to protect themselves from COVID-19. Methods: Our study aims to quantify the association between the stringency of measures and increased feelings of sadness/depression in a sample of 31,819 Europeans and Israelis aged 65 and above. We hypothesize that more stringent measures make it more likely that individuals will report increased feelings of sadness or depression. Conclusions: We found that more stringent measures across countries in Europe and Israel affect the mental health of older individuals. The prevalence of increased feelings of sadness/depression was higher in Southern European countries, where the measures were more stringent. We therefore recommend paying particular attention to the possible effects of pandemic control measures on the mental health of older people.

scholarly journals Changes in Health Behaviors, Mental and Physical Health among Older Adults under Severe Lockdown Restrictions during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (13) ◽  
pp. 7067
Author(s):  
Esther García-Esquinas ◽  
Rosario Ortolá ◽  
Iago Gine-Vázquez ◽  
José A. Carnicero ◽  
Asier Mañas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Isolation ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Housing Conditions ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Lifestyle Risk Factors ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Lifestyle Risk

We used data from 3041 participants in four cohorts of community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 years in Spain collected through a pre-pandemic face-to-face interview and a telephone interview conducted between weeks 7 to 15 after the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown. On average, the confinement was not associated with a deterioration in lifestyle risk factors (smoking, alcohol intake, diet, or weight), except for a decreased physical activity and increased sedentary time, which reversed with the end of confinement. However, chronic pain worsened, and moderate declines in mental health, that did not seem to reverse after restrictions were lifted, were observed. Males, older adults with greater social isolation or greater feelings of loneliness, those with poorer housing conditions, as well as those with a higher prevalence of chronic morbidities were at increased risk of developing unhealthier lifestyles or mental health declines with confinement. On the other hand, previously having a greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet and doing more physical activity protected older adults from developing unhealthier lifestyles with confinement. If another lockdown were imposed during this or future pandemics, public health programs should specially address the needs of older individuals with male sex, greater social isolation, sub-optimal housing conditions, and chronic morbidities because of their greater vulnerability to the enacted movement restrictions.

scholarly journals Prison Unhealthy Lifestyle and Poor Mental Health of Older Persons—A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Pageau ◽  
Corinne Devaud Cornaz ◽  
Isabelle Gothuey ◽  
Helene Seaward ◽  
Tenzin Wangmo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Medical Conditions ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Unhealthy Lifestyle ◽  
Lifestyle Habits ◽  
Access To Food

Background: Mental healthcare and lifestyle habits in prison, especially for older individuals, has been shown to be suboptimal. Most psychiatric conditions left untreated worsen food choices, physical inactivity, and substance abuse. In turn, bad habits lead to poorer mental health.Methods: To comprehensively illustrate this downward spiraling, we completed a thorough analysis of data obtained through semi-structured qualitative interviews. There were 50 interviews of aging incarcerated people included in this article. They were analyzed following a classical six-stepped thematic analysis.Results: According to our participants, sports are not well-adapted to aging individuals, nor to people with medical conditions. Prison is even more unadapted for those who both are aging and have medical conditions. Also, food served is less than optimal. According to our interviews, the older imprisoned individual often does not have access to food adapted to his or her medical conditions. Sport is maladapted for older incarcerated individuals and mostly tailored for younger ones. Finally, boredom and lack of responsibility hinder change toward a better lifestyle for older adults in prison.Conclusion: Our paper shows why prison environmental modifications are needed to help older adults with their lifestyle habits. It also exposes an original way to see the relationship between mental health and lifestyle habits.

Decision making and mental health across adulthood during social distancing

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kendra Leigh Seaman ◽  
Eric Juarez ◽  
Addison Troutman ◽  
Joanna Salerno ◽  
Silvia Samanez-Larkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Social Contact ◽  
Temporal Discounting ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Mental Health Symptoms ◽  
Health Symptoms ◽  
Social Distancing

Covid-19-related social-distancing measures have dramatically limited physical social contact between individuals of all ages. We wondered how these new societal conditions would impact the choices of individuals of different ages and if social distancing measures would have a differential emotional impact on older individuals. Early media reports suggested that older adults were more likely to ignore social distancing guidelines. We conducted two online studies to examine temporal discounting of monetary, health, and social rewards, COVID-19 beliefs, social distancing behaviors, and mental health symptoms. We used the initial study (N = 233) to form our hypotheses about social distancing behaviors and we ran the second, pre-registered study (N = 243) to determine if these relationships replicated. We found that although older adults were more likely to prefer smaller, sooner (i.e., temporal discount) social and health-related rewards in decision-making tasks, there were no adult age differences in social distancing behavior. The increased motivation for immediate social contact in older age appears to be balanced by a similarly increased motivation for physical health. Although older adults reported being more likely to contract Covid-19 and experience more severe health consequences, they experienced fewer overall Covid-19-related mental health symptoms compared to younger adults. These data contradict media anecdotes and suggest that older adults are not only similarly compliant with distancing guidelines, but also are faring relatively better emotionally during the pandemic while overall mental health issues are higher than normal in the population.

Covid-19 and Older Adults: The Paradox of Control Measures

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 303-305
Author(s):  
Anthony Obinna Iwuagwu ◽  
Christopher Ndubuisi Ngwu
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Face Mask ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
The World

It is no longer news that Covid-19 pandemic has become a major public health issue around the world and affected day to day activities of public life. Medical experts around the world were overwhelmed by the Covid-19 virus outbreak and for a long time were unable to provide a vaccine or any pharmaceutical treatment. Countries were therefore forced to adopt unprecedented Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures to mitigate the spread and impact of the virus. These measures which are non-pharmacological includes, social distancing, social isolation, lockdown, constant washing of hands, wearing of face mask and protective gloves etc. However, these measures aimed at protecting the health care systems, have had some side effects on the health and well-being of older adults. In this letter, we have highlighted social distancing as the main challenge and a paradox for older peoples wellbeing during the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak. The merits of the IPC measures notwithstanding, its long and short term consequences for the mental health of older adults calls for concern. Among other recommendations, professionals of ageing and geriatrics are recommended to help set a balance in IPC measures and mental health of older people in this Covid-19 era.

scholarly journals The Impact of Mental Health Stigma and Ageism on Students’ Intention to Work with Older Adults: A Mixed Methods Design

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 607-607
Author(s):  
Cindy Woolverton ◽  
Katelind Biccum ◽  
Aiping Yu ◽  
Lanlan Xin ◽  
Jessica Strong
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Negative Attitude ◽  
Qualitative Description ◽  
Mental Health Stigma ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Approximately 20% of older adults have a mental or neurological disorder which can cause significant disability. With a growing older adult population, there is a need for providers receiving specialized training in aging to provide quality care. However, there continues to be shortages of students seeking careers in geriatrics and especially in working with older individuals with mental health (MH) concerns. The present study explored the relationship between MH stigma, ageism and intention to work with older adults among undergraduate students. Undergraduate students (N=188) completed a battery of questionnaires including intention to work with older adults, positive and negative attitude towards older adults, and open-ended questions exploring MH stigma views. Regression results indicated that MH stigma, positive, and negative attitudes significantly predicted intention to work with older adults, (F(3, 182) = 8.51, p = .000). Examination of the coefficients revealed that positive attitudes significantly predicted intention to work with older adults (t=4.38, p=.000), and MH stigma demonstrated a trend towards significance (t=1.90, p=.059). Open-ended responses were analyzed using qualitative description methods which revealed themes consistent with negative and positive stereotypes, MH problems going undetected, and need for additional support in recognizing and treating MH conditions among older adults. Positive attitudes are an important predictor in students’ intention to work with older adults, and MH stigma may be an important factor to explore further. Qualitative themes also describe how MH concerns are an important area to focus on among older adults, although there continues to be evidence of aging stereotypes.

scholarly journals FEASIBILITY OF AN EVIDENCE-BASED MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION WITH OLDER ADULTS IN POST-HURRICANE MARIA PUERTO RICO

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S542-S542
Author(s):  
Denise Burnette
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Puerto Rico ◽  
Traumatic Stress ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Common Mental Disorders ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Mental Health Intervention ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Owing to out-migration, decreased fertility and longer lifespans, 18.5% of Puerto Rico’s population is aged 60+ -- 36% live alone and 40% are below poverty. Out-migration after Hurricane Maria may well raise the proportion of older adults to 30%. Mental health problems are among the most widespread and enduring effects of disasters. Common Mental Disorders (CMD) (anxiety, depression, traumatic stress) are most common. Before Maria, CDC data showed 38 % of persons age 65+ reported fair or poor health and 20% had been told they had a depressive disorder. In the months after Maria, the overall suicide rate rose 29%, while it more than doubled for people aged 65-69 and tripled for those aged 75- 79. This pilot study assesses the feasibility and acceptability of adapting the Friendship Bench, an evidence-based intervention developed in Zimbabwe for CMD, for use with older adults in primary care in Puerto Rico.

scholarly journals Special Issue “Mental Health Issues and Quality of Life in Older Individuals”

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 221
Author(s):  
Omar Cauli ◽  
Rut Navarro-Martínez ◽  
Julio Fernández-Garrido
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Social Factors ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Special Issue ◽  
Mental Health Issues

There are numerous biological, psychological, and social factors that have a more or less prominent impact on the mental health of older adults [...]

scholarly journals Alcohol use and mental health among older American adults during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 934-934
Author(s):  
Marisa Eastman ◽  
Lindsay Kobayashi ◽  
Jessica Finlay
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Alcohol Consumption ◽  
Multinomial Logistic Regression ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Epidemiologic Studies ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
National Cohort ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract We investigated the association of self-reported changes in alcohol consumption with the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and loneliness in the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic among middle-aged and older US adults. Between April and May 2020, 6,938 US adults aged 55+ completed online questionnaires in the COVID-19 Coping Study, a national cohort study of older adults’ mental health and well-being. Multinomial logistic regression estimated self-reported changes in the frequency of alcohol consumption relative to before the pandemic, according to anxiety (5-item Beck Anxiety Inventory), depression (8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale), and loneliness (3-item UCLA Loneliness Scale). All models were population-weighted and adjusted for confounders. Nearly half (46%) of adults reported drinking 1-7 drinks/week prior to the pandemic, 12% reported drinking 8+ drinks/week, and 42% reported not drinking. One in five adults (21%) reported a change in their alcohol consumption since the start of the pandemic, while 38% indicated they were drinking the same amount, and 42% reported not drinking alcohol. Older adults who screened positive for each of anxiety, depression, and loneliness reported drinking more than usual (OR=1.92; 95% CI: 1.92–1.93 for anxiety; OR=2.67; 95% CI: 2.67–2.68 for depression; OR=2.46; 95% CI: 2.45–2.46 for loneliness), compared to drinking the same as before the pandemic. These results demonstrate potentially negative changes in alcohol intake among middle-aged and older adults experiencing mental health symptomology during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

scholarly journals Association between Sense of Coherence Associated with Mental Health in Caregivers of Older Adults

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (20) ◽  
pp. 3800 ◽  
Author(s):  
López-Martínez ◽  
Serrano-Ortega ◽  
Moreno-Cámara ◽  
del-Pino-Casado
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Bivariate Analysis ◽  
Subjective Burden ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Anxiety Depression

The purpose of this study was to analyze association between sense of coherence and perceived burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life in caregivers of older adults. A cross-sectional study was carried out with a probabilistic sample of 132 caregivers of older relatives from the regions of Jaén, Spain. The measures assessed were sense of coherence (Life Orientation Questionnaire), subjective burden (Caregiver Strain Index of Robinson), anxiety and depression (Goldberg Scale), and quality of life (Health Questionnaire SF-12). The main analyses included bivariate analysis using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multivariate analysis through canonical correlation analysis. Our findings show that the sense of coherence explained 50.8% of the variance shared between subjective burden, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. We highlighted manageability as the variable within the dimensions of the sense of coherence with the greatest participation in the model. The sense of coherence may be an important protective factor for the mental health of the caregiver of dependent elderly relatives.

scholarly journals Robotic Telemedicine for Mental Health: A Multimodal Approach to Improve Human-Robot Engagement

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria R. Lima ◽  
Maitreyee Wairagkar ◽  
Nirupama Natarajan ◽  
Sridhar Vaitheswaran ◽  
Ravi Vaidyanathan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Facial Expressions ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Multimodal Interaction ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Human Robot Interaction ◽  
Older Individuals ◽  
Design Development ◽  
People With Dementia

COVID-19 has severely impacted mental health in vulnerable demographics, in particular older adults, who face unprecedented isolation. Consequences, while globally severe, are acutely pronounced in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) confronting pronounced gaps in resources and clinician accessibility. Social robots are well-recognized for their potential to support mental health, yet user compliance (i.e., trust) demands seamless affective human-robot interactions; natural ‘human-like’ conversations are required in simple, inexpensive, deployable platforms. We present the design, development, and pilot testing of a multimodal robotic framework fusing verbal (contextual speech) and nonverbal (facial expressions) social cues, aimed to improve engagement in human-robot interaction and ultimately facilitate mental health telemedicine during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic. We report the design optimization of a hybrid face robot, which combines digital facial expressions based on mathematical affect space mapping with static 3D facial features. We further introduce a contextual virtual assistant with integrated cloud-based AI coupled to the robot’s facial representation of emotions, such that the robot adapts its emotional response to users’ speech in real-time. Experiments with healthy participants demonstrate emotion recognition exceeding 90% for happy, tired, sad, angry, surprised and stern/disgusted robotic emotions. When separated, stern and disgusted are occasionally transposed (70%+ accuracy overall) but are easily distinguishable from other emotions. A qualitative user experience analysis indicates overall enthusiastic and engaging reception to human-robot multimodal interaction with the new framework. The robot has been modified to enable clinical telemedicine for cognitive engagement with older adults and people with dementia (PwD) in LMICs. The mechanically simple and low-cost social robot has been deployed in pilot tests to support older individuals and PwD at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in Chennai, India. A procedure for deployment addressing challenges in cultural acceptance, end-user acclimatization and resource allocation is further introduced. Results indicate strong promise to stimulate human-robot psychosocial interaction through the hybrid-face robotic system. Future work is targeting deployment for telemedicine to mitigate the mental health impact of COVID-19 on older adults and PwD in both LMICs and higher income regions.

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