Our project looks at the impact of COVID-19 on the elderly in long-term care facilities. Majority of the COVID-19 cases have been from long-term care facilities, resulting in 40% of the total confirmed deaths (O'Caoimh et al., 2020). Prior to the pandemic, the elderly in long-term care facilities reported feelings of loneliness and social isolation. The pandemic has amplified these negative emotions and has had negative effects not only physiologically, but also psychologically. However taking a positive perspective this period has made authorities and health care providers realize the psychosocial state of many elderly people. The pandemic can help kick start programs to prevent loneliness and stress in the elderly. Enhancing the quality of life is a value that Occupational therapists must continue to work especially for individuals in the aging process. References Abrambson, Ashley., American Psychological Association. (April 30, 2020). Protecting nursing home residents during COVID-19. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/topics/covid-19/nursing-home-residents. Agronin, M. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on mental health in long-term care settings. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-mental-health-in-long -term-care-settings Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020). Considerations for memory care units in long-term care facilities. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/memory-care.html Chu, C., Donato‐Woodger, S., & Dainton, C. (2020). Competing crises: COVID‐19 countermeasures and social isolation among older adults in long‐term care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 76(10), 2456–2459. https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.14467 How to Support Elderly Friends and Family During COVID-19. Cedars. (n.d.). https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/supporting-elderly-during-covid-19.html. Kaelen, S., van den Boogaard, W., Pellecchia, U., Spiers, S., De Cramer, C., Demaegd, G., … Draguez, B. (2021). How to bring residents’ psychosocial well-being to the heart of the fight against Covid-19 in Belgian nursing homes—A qualitative study. PLOS ONE, 16(3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0249098 Paulin, E. (2020, September 3). Is Isolation Killing America's Nursing Home Residents? AARP. https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/health/info-2020/covid-isolation-killing-nursing-home-residents.html. Simard, J., & Volicer, L. (2020). Loneliness and Isolation in Long-term Care and the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 21(7), 966–967. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2020.05.006 Thompson, D.-C., Barbu, M.-G., Beiu, C., Popa, L. G., Mihai, M. M., Berteanu, M., & Popescu, M. N. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on long-term care facilities worldwide: An overview on international issues. BioMed Research International, 2020, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8870249 Webb, L. (2021). COVID‐19 lockdown: A perfect storm for older people’s mental health. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 28(2), 300–300. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpm.12644
