The COVID-19 pandemic has had severe and worldwide impacts on mental health among people of all ages. However, the older population with mental disorders is vulnerable: they are more exposed to the risk of severe illness and death and their number is expected to rise consistently because of the population aging. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to review the relationship between mental disorders and the COVID-19 pandemic among the elderly, with special attention devoted to the role of preexisting mental problems. The older population has experienced mental health deteriorations because of the outbreak, although to a lesser extent than younger individuals. During the early stages of the pandemic, changes in mental health were pronounced among people with preexisting mental health conditions, while a gradual return to prepandemic levels of distress was observed over the subsequent months. A multifaceted approach, encompassing prevention of poor mental health and therapeutic interventions, is needed to face the mental health consequences induced by the pandemic.
Elsevier, International and Life Course Aspects of COVID-19, 2024, pp 599-611
