Protecting older adults during social distancing

The article discusses the issues related to adults over the age of 65, who may be less comfortable with virtual solutions for the protection of COVID-19. We must work to prevent social distancing from becoming social isolation among this vulnerable group. Social isolation in seniors has been linked to increased depression and suicidality as well as to increased proinflammatory and decreased anti-viral immune responses. These effects may further increase the susceptibility of this population to COVID-19. Health care systems and communities must consider the mental health burden of social distancing for the elderly and find ways to keep them engaged and motivated. Volunteers can maintain regular phone contact with the homebound elderly population, providing friendship and fostering a mentoring relationship, as it has been shown that adults over 60 years of age find their life more meaningful when they have the opportunity to give advice. Finally, existing mental health support hotlines could add outgoing calls during which mental health professionals could reach out to the elderly and screen for symptoms of anxiety and depression. These measures could improve older adults' compliance with social distancing and help reduce the impact of COVID-19 on their mental health. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)