https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032814-112828

Skidmore College

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Elderly, due to their heightened risk of contracting COVID-19 from their weakened immune systems, are also at higher risk for increased anxiety, stress and fear. 

Psychological attention should be directed on:
- Female seniors
- Low-educated seniors
- Divorced and widowed seniors
- Those living alone
- Those with sleep issues
- Those with mental health issues

Higher risk groups for mental health issues within.the elderly population

This survey conducted in China showed 37.1% of seniors studied experienced depression and anxiety during COVID-19. This study (n=1556) based off a self-developed questionnaire called Psychological Status of the Seniors during COVID-19, examined several factors such as gender, age, educational status, marriage status, living conditions, etc. to determine which sub group was most at greater mental health risk. Suggestions to improve mental health outcomes in these populations included concentrating psychological on sub-groups most at risk, improving the mechanism of psychological counselling for seniors, improve psychological health education in the media and encouraging recommendations to consult psychological hotlines, online consultations or professional institutions. 

Analyze the psychological impact of COVID-19 among the elderly population in China and make corresponding suggestions

- Late-life depression impacts 3.0-4.5% of adults over 65 in the U.S. 
- Depressed elderly suffer from normal cognitive aging to mild to major neurocognitive disorders. 


Depression Amongst the Elderly

Wang, S., & Blazer, D. G. (2015). Depression and cognition in the elderly. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 11(1), 331–360. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032814-112828

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