Fifty-eight participants with a diagnosis of mild AD were recruited from retirement homes in France. This study investigates changes in their anxiety and depression during the COVID-19 crisis as depression and anxiety are the most common neuropsychiatric symptoms in AD patients. Analyses of reported participant scores demonstrated significantly higher depression and anxiety during than before the COVID-19 crisis.

Bowdoin College

COVID-19 is more severe in older age groups and in those with common age-associated comorbidities, such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Therefore, the COVID-19 crisis is drastically affecting the quality of life of older adults, especially those living in retirement homes. In their effort to prevent infections, retirement homes have been forced to separate residents from the outside world and to reduce their activities and programs. These decisions have impacted residents’ wellbeing and mental health.

Psychological Effects of COVID-19 on the Elderly in Care Homes


Haj, M., Altintas, E., Chapelet, G., Kapogiannis, D., Gallouj, K. (2020). High Depression and Anxiety in People with Alzheimer's Disease Living in Retirement Homes during the Covid-19 Crisis. Psychiatry Research, 291. doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113294. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016517812031252X

High depression and anxiety in people with Alzheimer's disease living in retirement homes during the covid-19 crisis

High Depression and Anxiety in People with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Living in Retirement Homes

This study investigates the effects of confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic on neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with AD. AD neuropsychiatric symptoms include apathy, depression, anxiety, verbal and physical agitation, and hallucinations. In a cohort of 38 patients with AD, only 10 had neuropsychiatric changes during the confinement, between March 26, 2020 and May 9, 2020. For these 10 patients, the duration of confinement significantly correlated with both the distress experienced by their caregivers, as well as with the severity of their neuropsychiatric symptoms. These 10 patients had lower cognitive functioning in the 2 to 4 months prior to confinement, compared with the patients who did not demonstrate neuropsychiatric changes. AD patients with low cognitive function may be more prone to experience confusion and disorientation, which may have resulted in a greater incidence of neuropsychiatric symptoms during the confinement

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