A Covid-19 e as Implicações do Isolamento Social para as Pessoas Idosas: Uma Revisão Integrativa

Abstract

The need to contain transmission of the COVID-19 virus demanded restrictive health measures on social interaction, mobility and access to services, aff ecting health promotion. These measures were found to have a range of eff ects on mental health and other areas, and older people were a particularly aff ected group during the pandemic. The present study aimed to present an integrative review of the literature about the implications of the health measures adopted against COVID-19 for the mental health of elderly people asylum/hospitalized and/or in social isolation, and the strategies to mitigate the eff ects. In particular, the health measures adopted that had isolation/confi nement and/or loss of autonomy characteristics were considered. The search was carried out in the CAPES journals portal in the second half of July 2021, and 19 articles were included. The results pointed out that social isolation during the pandemic period signifi cantly aff ected the mental health of the elderly population. Reduced autonomy, mobility, and physical activity accentuated cognitive and physical decline. The physical detachment can be associated with an increase in depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness and helplessness in the elderly population. The eff ects of the pandemic have further reinforced the need for public policies, strategies to care for the elderly and combat ageism. The strengthening of the social support network and the use of digital tools as mediators of social exchanges and health care have shown to be promising tools. In the case of the latter, one should off er access to equipment, instructions, and monitoring in its use. Keywords: Mental health, aged, covid-19, hospitalization, social isolation