The Covid-19 pandemic has brought to light unprecedented challenges for the mental health of the global population, especially for the elderly. This group, already vulnerable to several risk factors, such as social isolation, loneliness and fear of death, was even more exposed to the deleterious effects of the pandemic (Agrela Rodrigues & Marinho Lima, 2022).
The research of Agrela Rodrigues and Marinho Lima (2022) shows that the pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing mental health problems in the elderly, such as anxiety, depression and substance use disorders. In addition, the spread of fake news and the excess of information about Covid-19 contributed to the increase of stress and uncertainty, negatively impacting the psychological well-being of this population.
Another crucial point highlighted by the authors is the need to qualify health professionals to meet the specific demands of the elderly population in times of crisis. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, involving not only doctors and nurses, but also psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, to ensure the integral care of the mental health of the elderly.
In addition, the study highlights the importance of family and social support for the mental health of the elderly during the pandemic. The social isolation imposed by Covid-19 prevention measures has intensified the feeling of loneliness and abandonment in many elderly people, which reinforces the need to strengthen family and community ties to ensure the psychological well-being of this population.
In short, the Covid-19 pandemic brought to light the need to rethink public mental health policies aimed at the elderly population. Investing in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders is essential, as well as promoting access to quality mental health services and strengthening family and social support to ensure that the elderly can face the challenges imposed by the pandemic and maintain their mental health and well-being.
Reference:
AGRELA RODRIGUES, F. de A.; MARINHO LIMA, M. C. Covid-19: implications and challenges for the mental health of the personas mayores. Latin Science Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, v. 6, no. 2, pp. 2731-2749, 2022.
