The Negative Impact of COVID-19 on Elderly: A Systematic Review
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https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2581-4038
Michael Joseph S. Diño
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1493-2549
Jeffy Francis
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7851-523X
Enrika Espiritu
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7346-6491
Rinabelle Ricci Garcia
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1927-1444
Janta-Utsa Patomchai
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5887-7388
Emrat Sasina
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1602-0108
Jitsaeng Patwira
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8723-9334
Jonnagaddala Jitendra
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6529-747X
Joshi Apoorva Madhukar
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6370-7896
Juluri Sahith
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4753-5358
Kaewpamorn Ukrit
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6412-6102
Kulsu Panlapa
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0452-0869
Kumluea Chutinun
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3511-9784
Abstract
Introduction: Early in the pandemic, older people were identified as one of the most vulnerable population. More than 80% of deaths occur in adults over the age of 65. Several conditions have been clearly established to protect the elderly, such as banning visits to nursing homes. Therefore, it is important to fully understand how this pandemic has affected the elderly. This study covers the negative effects on the physical and mental health of the elderly during COVID-19 pandemic.
Methodology: A systematic review of the literature to identify COVID-19 papers with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, BioMed Central (BMC) and Frontier in 2020 and 2021. Included studies are those that investigate the psychological and physical impact on elderly (>=60 years old) resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unrelated, duplicated, unavailable full texts/abstract-only papers, and studies that analyzed mental and behavioral disorders due to the use of alcohol and other drugs are excluded.
Results: A total of 12 studies are included out of 352. Impact of COVID-19 on physical health to elderly were weight loss, lesser time of exercise, decreased social activities, increased respiratory and heart diseases, and increased mortality. On the other hand, identified impact on mental health were higher depression, anxiety, fear of acquiring COVID due to irresponsible younger generations, discrimination and isolation, increased levels of loneliness, and generalized anxiety.
Conclusion: The findings summarized in this review suggest that older adults experienced negative consequences for the ongoing pandemic, both physically and mentally. This information will be useful to responsible institutions when acting and making decisions for elderly regarding health care access and public health measures.
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