Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project WEEK 2

Assignment: Capstone Project: Topic and Narrowing the Focus

INSTRUCTOR’S COMMENT: Just remember to support all statements or assertions of fact with citations.

Impact of depression on elderly due to COVID-19

Depression is a moral illness that affects one’s daily life. It is a condition caused by several factors within our lives (Park & Zarate, 2019). Depression is caused by several factors such as abuse, gender, death, age, conflict, and significant events. Covid-19 is a new strain of coronavirus that caused a severe contagious respiratory disease. However, Covid-19 is a pandemic that has affected individuals’ lives and their social and economic aspects. This disease is infectious and has resulted in the death of many people. Likewise, this pandemic significantly impacts public mental health, leading to psychological disorders such as depression. The loss of family members, relatives, friends, and high medical expenses due to Covid-19 has resulted in depression cases. Depression will create a significant impact in society, especially on older adults, due to Covid-19. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Depression is highly expected in the late-life. For instance, nearly 5 million of the 31 million Americans aged 65 and older have depressive symptoms (Padayachey, 2017). The frequency of depression among the community in adults aged 65 and older is roughly between 5 and 10% (Padayachey, 2017). This disorder, if untreated, decreases the quality of life and increases suicide. Thus, depression is a severe issue and a primary public health aspect among older adults. It is listed as the second leading cause of disease burden in the older adult population. The spread of Covid-19 has highly affected the older adults who experience adverse effects from the pandemic. This group faces severe complications, higher mortality, challenges in technology adaption such as telemedicine, disruptions of their daily routines (Padayachey, 2017). Likewise, the isolation aspect increases their existing mental health conditions, where they feel neglected and isolated from their loved ones. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Markedly, older adults have lower stress reactivity that hinders them from fighting mental health issues. The scale and magnitude of the pandemic have created a mental health crisis concern among older adults. Depression cases will highly affect older adults since the Covid-19 pandemic calls for isolation once diagnosed with the disease. In the United States, the rate of depression symptoms was more than three-time higher during Covid-19 compared to before the pandemic (Ettman et al., 2019). Covid-19 has taken a significant impact on older adults. In Belgium, roughly 935 deaths occurred among adults aged 65 or older by the end of August (De Pue et al., 2021). The presence of Covid-19 will highly affect older adults, thus increasing the depression rates. Depression among the elderly before the pandemic was low, and its rate after the pandemic has proliferated. The government reveals the older adults as a risk group since they have a weak immune system, thus highly infected by the disease. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

The depression will cause a decrease in activity level, wellbeing, cognitive functioning, and quality sleep due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Likewise, it will impact the mental health of older adults due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This moral disorder will lead to loneliness and negligence among the elderly since they will be restricted from their grandchildren and family visits. The older adults will be placed in assisted living facilities and nursing homes, and the environment will affect their mental health (De Pue et al., 2021). The decline of sleep quality will increase the risk for depression since older adults will face more stress. However, older adults encounter cognitive functioning as part of normal aging, and the presence of this pandemic will cause social isolation and activity loss, thus impacting their strength. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

In conclusion, depression will significantly impact society, especially the older adults, due to Covid-19. The loss of family members, relatives, friends, and high medical expenses due to Covid-19 has resulted in depression cases. The spread of Covid-19 has highly affected the older adults who experience adverse effects from the pandemic since they have lower stress reactivity.

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project References

De Pue, S., Gillebert, C., Dierckx, E., Vanderhasselt, M. A., De Raedt, R., & Van den Bussche, E. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on wellbeing and cognitive functioning of older adults. Scientific reports, 11(1), 1-11. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84127-7
Padayachey, U., Ramlall, S., & Chipps, J. (2017). Depression in older adults: prevalence and risk factors in a primary health care sample. South African Family Practice, 59(2), 61–66. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.4102/safp.v59i2.4536
Park, L. T., & Zarate Jr., C. A. (2019). Depression in the Primary Care Setting. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(23), 2279–2280. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1056/NEJMc1903259

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project WEEK 7

Instructor’s comment: For organizational improvement, use thematic section headings.

Literature Review: Resource Synthesis

Introduction

Many people encounter mental health illness that affects their daily life. Depression is a mental health illness that is caused by aspects such as gender, age, conflict, death, and abuse. Additionally, stress and loneliness contribute largely to depression cases, especially among the elderly. Covid-19 is a disease caused by a new coronavirus strain. This pandemic has highly affected individual’s lives and their economic and social aspects. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Covid-19 has a significant impact on public mental health, leading to psychological disorders such as depression. Mental health crisis worries arose among the elderly due to the scale and degree of the epidemic. Sadly, the rates of depression during the covid-19 pandemic increased due to the loss of family members, friends, relatives, and high medical expenses. Additionally, the government implemented severe restrictions among the older adults where contact with friends and family was limited. The elderly are susceptible to depression cases due to Covid-19, where they encounter severe complications, higher mortality, and expertise adaption issues such as telemedicine and interruptions of their daily customs.Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Synthesis

Depression is an illness that affects one’s psychosocial well-being and contributes highly to poor mental health status. Covid-19 is a threat to the elderly due to their aging and low cognitive functional ability. The self-isolation aspect makes the elderly feel neglected, thus losing the purpose of life. Sadly, the elderly from poor households have suffered high depression cases due to insufficient financial support. However, poverty is a significant aspect that affects the elderly since most do not benefit from the pension, thus leading to depression. The elderly are highly vulnerable to depression which affects their psychosocial welfare. Covid 19 puts the older adults in high-risk issues during the pandemic, leading to poor sleep quality, deteriorated activity, and poor cognitive operation, hence low mental health status. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Several researchers have proven the fact that depression affects the psychosocial well-being of older adults. According to Padayachey et al. (2017), the elderly encounter mood disorders that interfere with their cognitive acts. Likewise, the elderly face loneliness due to the loss of their partners and restricted visits from their family members. The ruling out of the elderly as vulnerable to the virus and implementing restrictions has contributed to their poor psychosocial welfare (De Pue et al., (2021). This measure has made the elderly liable to mental illnesses, thus interfering with their psychosocial interest. However, covid-19 interferes with the mental and psychosocial welfare of the elderly. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Markedly, Sepúlveda-Loyola et al. (2020) outlined other factors that affect the psychosocial well-being of the elderly. According to the research, older adults are forced into self-isolation where they face visit restrictions from their family members. Some older adults are placed in the assisted living facilities and nursing homes, thus increasing their loneliness and negligence feelings. Sadly, the elderly are forced into these facilities, making them feel unwanted by society and family members. Self-isolation increases their loneliness, becoming more vulnerable to depression (Park & Zarate, 2019). Likewise, socially isolated individuals lack friends, family members, and relatives, thus feeling lonely and depressed. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

The environment affects their mental health status leading to lack of sleep, anxiety, and insufficient physical activity. However, the surrounding of the isolation facility causes low self-esteem and anxiety cases among the elderly. The decrease in sleep quality increases the depression risks as the older adults will be more prone to stress. The self-isolation aspect affects the elderly, where they become less active, thus affecting their mental health status. Likewise, it contributes highly to low emotional interaction and support aspects. Van et al. (2020) verified further that social solitude is among the primary causes of depression among the elderly. The separation from their loved ones affects their mental health, causing challenges in coping with the pandemic effects. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Covid-19 has augmented the depression rates among older adults, thus increasing fear and uncertainty of the future. The deaths of loved ones such as family members make the elderly lose hope. Likewise, the high death rates among the elderly cause the rest to suffer from mental health issues (Semo & Frissa, 2020). The fear surges stress cases among the elderly, thus affecting their mental wellness causing depression. Further, it develops into post-traumatic stress that leads to depression issues. Additionally, the containment measures increase fear among the elderly resulting in depression cases. For instance, Sub-Saharan Africa was highly affected by the covid-19 since they had weak health care systems. The covid-19 pandemic upsurges depression, post-traumatic stress disorders, and anxiety. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the mental health care services uptake is low, thus causing the communities to encounter challenges. The spread of covid-19 affected the elderly, leading to depression cases and fear of their future. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Markedly, depression among older adults affects their drive for life, making them feel useless to society. The high level of loneliness among older adults has contributed highly to their life status. The loneliness and negligence aspect has caused the elderly to acquire post-traumatic stress leading to depression issues. Additionally, the self-isolation and restraint measures have made the elderly more susceptible to depression cases. The isolation contributes highly to low personal growth since the environment is unfit for the elderly as they engage less in physical activities. Additionally, social isolation increases the risks of premature death among the elderly. Social isolation among older adults is a severe public health issue due to their mental health issues, neurocognitive, and cardiovascular risks. The rate of depression rises highly in older adults who lack close family or friends and depend on voluntary facilities upkeep. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

The isolation aspects impact additional consequences that lead to high suicide cases among older adults. Isolation affects one’s mindset leading to poor mental health due to loneliness. Thus, isolating the elderly is a significant contributor to depression, making some commit suicide. Likewise, it impacts many fear and thoughts of negligence from their loved ones (López et al., 2020). Isolation restricts the older adults’ desire for personal growth and life purpose, making them feel not valuable to society.
Poverty is an enormous challenge that is affecting the World. Roughly 800 million people in the World are suffering in poverty. Sadly, approximately 11% of the World’s population is living in extreme poverty. The statistics of the older adults living in poverty is higher compared to the other age groups. Individuals aged 75 to 79 years have a poverty rate of approximately 9.2%, with 7.4% among people aged 70 to 74 (Vahia et al., 2020). Additionally, for individuals aged 65 to 69 years, roughly 8.4% are living in poverty. Poverty contributes highly to the depression rates among the elderly due to a lack of a sound support system. Deprivation increases stress among the elderly, thus leading to depression cases.

According to Vahia et al. (2020), the elderly from poor households have higher levels of depression. Poverty is highly affecting older adults since they lack sufficient support systems. However, some older adults do not acquire the retirement pension that helps them to cater for their financial aids. Additionally, some family members, friends, and relatives abandon the older adults, resulting in loneliness that cultivates stress. Stress and poverty affect the elderly mental health status leading them to depression. However, the quality of life for older adults depreciated promptly due to the covid-19 pandemic Kivi et al., (2021). The pandemic affected the welfare of individuals leading to loss of jobs and an increase in poverty cases. The low-income families are highly affected since the pandemic interfered with their source of living. The high poverty rates among the elderly have made them more susceptible to poor intellectual aptitude and depression rates. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

The perception of aging has affected the welfare of older adults, making them vulnerable to depression. According to Losada-Baltar et al. (2021), the high death rates during the pandemic among the elderly have caused poor aging perceptions to society. Age is a risk factor for the covid-19 pandemic as families are facing a very stressful time. The negative self-perception of aging is related to loneliness and distress caused by the pandemic crisis. The negative perception of aging has been high among the elderly due to the high death rates within their age group. The high death rates cause the elderly to feel unwanted in society. Additionally, it impacts a negative perception of aging within the community, making the elderly more vulnerable to depression. This perception significantly affects social isolation cases, leading to loneliness and the desire to commit suicide among the elderly.

Markedly, the negative perception of aging is highly affected by the high exposure to covid-19 news and lower contact with relatives. Less positive emotions and insufficient self-entertainment resources have affected society leading to poor perception about a particular age group. Additionally, lower sleep quality and higher loneliness are linked with higher distress that is affecting the elderly. The negative perception of aging among older adults has been contributed by society’s view about them, thus affecting their mental health status. These perceptions interfere with the coping strategies the elderly can implement to address depression during this pandemic. The rate of depression cases among older adults has been an issue, thus affecting the society’s perspective leading to isolation and negligence of the elderly. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Although the covid-19 pandemic has been a threat to the elderly leading to depression, this issue can be controlled by implementing essential coping mechanisms. Many older adults lack significant material, social, cognitive, or biological resources to address covid-19 stress. These issues include lack of intelligent technology access, social interaction, and inability to engage in physical exercise. Technology plays a remarkable role in maintaining social connections and acquiring mental health services. Thus, social media is an excellent platform to impart mental health education and communication resources. Implementing crucial coping techniques will assist the elderly, thus ensuring equity and efficiency. Sub-Saharan Africa implemented coping strategies and safeguarded social and cultural resilience aspects, thus curbing depression cases among the elderly. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Mass media is a virtual platform that offers crucial social resources. According to Lee et al. (2020), factors such as social distancing and quarantine measures contribute highly to vulnerability rates of the elderly acquiring depression during the pandemic. Thus, the implementation of essential aspects such as using social media can help address this challenge. This technique can be done by training the community health workers to offer mental health education, screening, and counseling services. Implementation of social media and tool-free mental health helplines can help the elderly to acquire emotional support. This support will reduce the rate of loneliness and anxiety, thus decrease in depression during the pandemic. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Markedly, another essential coping technique includes the implementation of home care services to assist the elderly. Most elderly are transferred to the assisted living facilities and nursing homes that make them feel lonely and neglected by their family members. The environment worsens their situation as they face depression cases due to lack of sleep and physical inactivity (Lee et al., 2020). Thus, this situation can be addressed by offering home care services to the elderly. This technique will enable the elderly to feel loved and appreciated by their family members. Likewise, the environment will allow them to acquire mental health and psychosocial support services, thus reducing the depression rates. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Implementation of communication perspectives with close friends, relatives, and family members is essential in addressing depression among the elderly. Zhou et al. (2021) revealed the importance of this communication since it assists the elderly to feel loved and easily cope with the pandemic effects. The frequent communication services between family members, friends, and the elderly aids in minimizing loneliness and vulnerability to depression. Additionally, the early recognition of covid-19 will aid decrease depression rigorousness among the elderly. This strategy will assist in offering mental health education and offering emotional and psychosocial support to the elderly (Banerjee, 2020). However, early detection will ensure early intervention, thus improving the life quality. Implementing these coping techniques will not only help the elderly to curb depression during the covid-19 pandemic and after the pandemic. The elderly require love and attention, thus reducing loneliness and depression rates.

Screening and constant monitoring of the elderly is an essential aspect of reducing depression rates. These services will ensure any mild symptoms identification among the elderly, thus implementing effective care services. Most elderly are neglected by the government and acquire minor medical attention services. The lack of medical, emotional, and social support affects the elderly personal growth leading to depression issues. Thus, offering regular screening and monitoring services will ensure the elderly acquire effective medical services, hence addressing any mild symptoms. Dealing with these symptoms will play an essential role in enhancing adequate welfare for the elderly. Additionally, the services will reduce suicide risks among the elderly. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Summary

In conclusion, the elderly are susceptible to depression cases due to Covid-19, where they encounter severe complications, higher mortality, and expertise adaption issues such as telemedicine and interruptions of their daily customs. Depression is an illness that affects one’s psychosocial well-being and contributes highly to poor mental health status. Due to covid-19, the elderly are forced into self-isolation, limiting visits from family members and relatives. This environment causes loneliness, low self-esteem, and anxiety, contributing highly to low emotional support, poor mental status, and depression. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

The covid-19 pandemic is a danger to the elderly as it causes mental health issues due to physical distancing, disease encounters, disgrace, and discernment. Although the covid-19 pandemic has been a threat to the elderly leading to depression, this issue can be controlled by implementing essential coping mechanisms. Poverty is an enormous challenge that is affecting the World. Roughly 800 million people in the World are suffering in poverty. Poverty has made older adults more vulnerable to depression and poor mental health status during the pandemic. Critical techniques to address depression among the elderly include social media, home care services implementation, and increasing communication frequency. These coping techniques will assist the elderly to recover effectively and aid in reducing social isolation and depression rates. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project References

Banerjee D. (2020). The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on elderly mental health. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 35(12), 1466–1467. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1002/gps.5320
De Pue, S., Gillebert, C., Dierckx, E., Vanderhasselt, M. A., De Raedt, R., & Van den Bussche, E. (2021). The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on well-being and cognitive functioning of older adults. Scientific reports, 11(1), 1-11. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-84127-7
Kivi, M., Hansson, I., & Bjälkebring, P. (2021). Up and About: Older Adults’ Well-being During the COVID-19 Pandemic in a Swedish Longitudinal Study. The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, 76(2), e4–e9. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa084
López, J., Perez-Rojo, G., Noriega, C., Carretero, I., Velasco, C., Martinez-Huertas, J. A., López-Frutos, P., & Galarraga, L. (2020). Psychological well-being among older adults during the covid-19 outbreak: A comparative study of the young–old and the old–old adults. International Psychogeriatrics. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1017/S1041610220000964
Losada-Baltar, A., Jiménez-Gonzalo, L., Gallego-Alberto, L., Pedroso-Chaparro, M. D. S., Fernandes-Pires, J., & Márquez-González, M. (2021). “We are staying at home.” Association of self-perceptions of aging, personal and family resources, and loneliness with psychological distress during the lock-down period of COVID-19. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(2), e10-e16. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32282920/
Padayachey, U., Ramlall, S., & Chipps, J. (2017).Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project Depression in older adults: prevalence and risk factors in a primary health care sample. South African Family Practice, 59(2), 61–66. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.4102/safp.v59i2.4536
Park, L. T., & Zarate Jr., C. A. (2019). Depression in the Primary Care Setting. New England Journal of Medicine, 380(23), 2279–2280. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1056/NEJMc1903259
Semo B, & Frissa SM. (2020). The Mental Health Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for Sub-Saharan Africa. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, ume 13, 713–720. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32982500/
Vahia, I. V., Jeste, D. V., & Reynolds, C. F., 3rd. (2020). Older Adults and the Mental Health Effects of COVID-19. JAMA, 324(22), 2253–2254. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1001/jama.2020.21753
Van Tilburg, T. G., Steinmetz, S., Stolte, E., van der Roest, H., & de Vries, D. H. (2020). Loneliness and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study among Dutch older adults. The journals of gerontology. Series B, Psychological sciences and social sciences, gbaa111. Advance online publication. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa111
Zhou, R., Chen, H., Zhu, L., Chen, Y., Chen, B., Li, Y., & Chen, Z. (2021). Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project Mental Health Status of the Elderly Chinese Population During COVID-19: An Online Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Psychiatry. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.645938

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project WEEK 8

Research Gap and Problem Statement

Gap in Research

There is a gap in the literature on studies investigating the impacts of Covid 19 among the elderly on their mental health and well-being, leading to depressive symptoms. Mental health issues among the elderly have been prevalent but often overlooked even before the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. The Covid 19 pandemic and the restrictions only exacerbated the depression among the elderly. The elderly are often isolated from the rest of society, and they have financial constraints, which means they cannot meet their basic needs and health care needs, leading to poor mental health outcomes. The Covid 19 pandemic has targeted the elderly as the most vulnerable population, raising angst among them, preventing them from interacting freely with their friends and families (López et al., 2020). The high poverty rates among the elderly who do not benefit from pension schemes also lead to high prevalence rates of depression among the elderly. Very few studies have investigated the effect of depression on the elderly during the ongoing pandemic. The capstone project aims to fill this gap. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Problem statement

The high rate of depression among the elderly is an issue of concern that needs to be addressed, especially during the current pandemic. This population is highly vulnerable and has been inconvenienced mainly by the various measures to contain the spread of the virus, such as movement restrictions and the inability to interact with loved ones freely. According to Padayachey et al. (2017), it is essential to identify the high-risk factors that predispose the elderly population to high rates of depression which should be the first step in promoting the health and wellness of this population. The proposed study will fill the identified gap in the literature by identifying the various determinants such as poverty, social isolation, and Covid 19 restrictions that predispose the elderly to poor mental health outcomes. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Additionally, the study will determine the relationship between Covid 19 restrictions and poor mental health outcomes among the elderly. The Covid 19 restrictions and the lockdown have heightened social isolation among the elderly leading to depression. Families and friends often neglect the elderly, with most of them being forced into nursing homes against their wishes, which further worsens the depressive symptoms. The government and society are responsible for promoting the mental well-being of the elderly during the Covid 19 pandemic. Therefore, there is a need to formulate better methods of helping the elderly get through the pandemic by minimizing their mental health effects. Through adequate social, medical, and emotional support from the government and society, mental health issues and depression among the elderly can be alleviated. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project References

López, J., Perez-Rojo, G., Noriega, C., Carretero, I., Velasco, C., Martinez-Huertas, J. A., López-Frutos, P., & Galarraga, L. (2020). Psychological well-being among older adults during the covid-19 outbreak: A comparative study of the young-old and the old-old adults. International Psychogeriatrics. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1017/S1041610220000964
Padayachey, U., Ramlall, S., & Chipps, J. (2017). Depression in older adults: prevalence and risk factors in a primary health care sample. South African Family Practice, 59(2), 61–66. Retrieved from: https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.4102/safp.v59i2.4536

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project WEEK 9

Positive Social Change

The leading focus group for the capstone project is the elderly population. The study results may provide insights on the implications of Covid 19 among the elderly’s mental health. It might educate the larger population on the mental health care concerns prevalent among the elderly. The restrictions and containment measures due to the novel coronavirus contributed significantly to disruptions in the elderly’s lives, which results in exacerbated loneliness among the elderly leading to poor mental health outcomes (Holmes et al., 2020). The results of this study might provide insights into the importance of social connectedness and support among the elderly. It may create awareness among the elderly on the importance of being socially connected with their friends and relatives even amidst the Covid 19 restrictions. Furthermore, they may also learn healthy coping strategies such as cleaning, gardening, exercising, and cooking to reduce distress and anxiety. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

The information received from this capstone project may be necessary to the local municipality and the community. Through understanding the mental health issues faced by the elderly, the government may implement policies including providing free mental health screening services among the elderly. Moreover, the government might also provide pension services to the elderly living in poverty to improve their living standards and, consequently, their mental health and well-being (Holmes et al., 2020). Society can also promote well-being among the elderly by improving social connectedness. The results may impact the larger community to improve communication with the elderly by maintaining communication through phone calls and video calls.
If the government and the community take action, the quality of life among the elderly may be promoted. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Improved living standards and mental health services among the elderly may promote the quality of life and reduce stress-related physical illnesses among the elderly. Through improved access to care, the morbidity and mortality rates among the elderly may be significantly reduced. Implementations of the project results by the larger population may lead to a reduction in the global burden of diseases among the elderly. Most of the elderly population suffer from chronic diseases such as hypertension and heart disease, and these conditions are worsened if the patients are in a poor mental state (Wanchai & Phrompayak, 2019). Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

The project results may help shape policies and laws that advocate for mental health and well-being among the elderly. Moreover, the social view might also change as the community may view the elderly as significant community members and deserve love and care. The elderly’s mental health issues are sometimes misdiagnosed and overlooked. However, the project results may act as an eye-opener to the clinicians, government, and the community. About 20% of the elderly suffer from a mental health disorder or a neurological disorder such as depression and dementia, respectively (Wanchai & Phrompayak, 2019). Through the project’s results, the government, community, and health care providers can work collaboratively to meet the needs of the elderly in terms of physical and mental health. Moreover, during the Covid 19 pandemic, the elderly are more prone to loneliness; therefore, stakeholders may connect them to social support services and networks. Finally, the project results may help alleviate the stigma attached to mental illnesses among the elderly and the wider population. Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project

Impact of Depression COVID-19 Final Capstone Project References

Holmes, E. A., O’Connor, R. C., Perry, V. H., Tracey, I., Wessely, S., Arseneault, L., Ballard, C., Christensen, H., Cohen Silver, R., Everall, I., Ford, T., John, A., Kabir, T., King, K., Madan, I., Michie, S., Przybylski, A. K., Shafran, R., Sweeney, A., Worthman, C. M., … Bullmore, E. (2020). Multidisciplinary research priorities for the COVID-19 pandemic: a call for action for mental health science. The lancet. Psychiatry, 7(6), 547–560. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30168-1
Wanchai, A., Phrompayak, D. (2019). Social Participation Types and Benefits on Health Outcomes for Elder People: a Systematic Review. Ageing Int 44, 223–233. Retrieved from: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12126-018-9338-6