Supporting older people during the COVID-19 pandemic is everyone’s business

WHO Europe – Health emergencies 

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the global population in drastic ways. In many countries, older people are facing the most threats and challenges at this time. Although all age groups are at risk of contracting COVID-19, older people face significant risk of developing severe illness if they contract the disease due to physiological changes that come with ageing and potential underlying health conditions. 

Read WHO statement here  
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This information has been prepared by EFPA’s Standing Committee for Geropsychology. 

EFPA position statement on COVID-19 related health advice for older adults

EFPA would like to share some basic recommendations on the psychological concerns related to older persons in the situation of Coronavirus spread. Older persons are considered at higher risk from the effects of Coronavirus. Older persons are also more likely to have other health conditions, and are more likely to be socially isolated. This time of uncertainty over Coronavirus is worrying and stressful for many people, and especially so for older people, and particularly those who are isolated. In order to reduce the spread of the virus and to protect vulnerable persons, it is strongly advised to reduce physical contact, not to visit older persons, not to go to care homes and nursing homes.  

Preventing loneliness and isolation of older persons

While avoiding physical contact and proximity is, of course, essential to protect persons at risk, it could also increase loneliness and isolation. We know that lack of social contact, loneliness and social isolation are key problems of later life, linked to poor mental health, increased disability and earlier death.  We therefore strongly recommend that alongside measures to limit physical contact, we need a campaign to increase intergenerational solidarity and communication with older people in general, and especially those who are more isolated. Appropriate ways of communicating while respecting physical distancing would be telephone, social media and/or video calling.  

Promoting help and support

Further, it might be essential for persons at risk to get help with making provisions for their daily life. For example, we would recommend checking that older persons have what they need, arranging for deliveries of essentials as well as other small gestures of inclusion and affection. The best help is prompt and regular, so that older persons (or any people in need) do not have to suffer from extra anxiety and worries stemming from being left helpless. Make sure to provide information (a note or a leaflet) on a local number of emergency services, a voluntary support service or some other relevant contact to call, and encourage them to proactively interact or seek help and support if needed. 

Get in touch with older persons

We recommend people to get in touch regularly with their older relatives, friends and neighbours through appropriate media, so please: Contact older people! Increase communication with older persons! Keep in touch with grandparents! 

Promoting intergenerational solidarity in the Corona pandemic: A statement on Covid-19 related mental health and well-being of older adults  

July 9, 2020

The Corona pandemic is accompanied by unprecedented social exclusion of older adults as well as a resurgence of ageist stereotypes in many European countries which also increases health risks of older adults that are not directly associated with the pandemic. The EFPA, at the pandemic outbreak in Europe, and upon recommendations from its Standing Committee for Geropsychology, has published a public statement on COVID-19 related health advice for older adults. The statement aims at focusing both public and professionals' attention to the prevention of isolation and the promotion of help and support to older adults in the current situation.

Psychology and especially Geropsychology continuously provide the research-based knowledge, theories, and education about diverse psychological processes underlying human ageing. Geropsychologists are developing innovative approaches and practices that will improve the quality of living and subjective well-being in older age.

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic forced people worldwide to cope with numerous restrictions and adjustments of their usual life styles, with social distancing being among the most difficult. While confinement and protective measures applied to people of all ages, older persons were particularly affected and generally addressed as a risk group that needs specific shielding. This unnuanced communication can contribute to exclusionary tendencies, a loss of autonomy and social isolation. The most frequent psychological distress symptoms resulting from this situation are stress, fear and anxiety.

The most vulnerable population age group in relation to COVID-19 health risks, and in relation to social distancing are older adults. Many older adults are also more likely to have other health conditions. Also, many older adults live alone. The combination of mental health risks: stress, fear, anxiety and loneliness, with the risks of social isolation, all due to COVID-19 pandemic, may increase older adults' health problems and impair the quality of their life and well-being.

Raising awareness that older persons are particularly susceptible to COVID-19 health risks may help in strengthening their protective resources, e.g. social support and communication networks, especially for those who feel lonely in coping with the situation. Thereby, older adults should not just be seen as a passive and homogeneous group. Instead, most older adults have been actively supporting others during the crisis, and might dispose of specific resources, also due to their life experience.

If you have older relatives, or are professionally working with older clients, and wish to help them improve their well-being while facing the pandemic situation, read some recommendations on the here published EFPA position statement on COVID-19 related health advice for older adults

Prepared by the EFPA’s Standing Committee for Geropsychology