New Study to Examine COVID-19's Impact on the Mental Health of Older Adults

A joint study by Baycrest and the Center for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) will consider the mental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing on older adults, reports News-Medical . The researchers also will look at resilience and coping among this group. The investigators will monitor changes in mental health and the occurrence of psychiatric illness during the pandemic among 475 older men and women in Toronto. "Mental health during COVID-19 should not be taken lightly," said CAMH's Benoit Mulsant. "The results of this study will increase our knowledge of the impact of COVID-19 and of physical distancing as a public health measure on emotional well-being in older Canadians." Linda Mah at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute added that the study's outcomes "will inform public health officials' decisions on how best to implement restrictions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, while minimizing mental health risks in seniors. In addition, by examining factors that affect seniors' mental health during the pandemic, this study will provide information that can be used to develop interventions to support seniors during this and future pandemics." The study is scheduled to be done within the year, with initial findings expected in four to six months.