The Influence of COVID-19 pandemic on elder adults’ mental health and possible digital interventions to mitigate that effect

Abstract

Worldwide population is rapidly ageing: between 2015 and 2050 the population aged 60+ years is expected to almost double, from 12% up to 22%. In absolute numbers, this means an estimated increase from 0.9 billion up to 2 billion people aged 60 or more.

Elder adults face special physical and mental health challenges which need to be acknowledged and addressed. Mental health and wellbeing are just as important in old age as they are in any other timeframe; however mental and neurological disorders in older adults account for 6.6% of overall disabilities (Disability-Adjusted Life Years - DALY) in this age group. About 15% of adults aged 60+ years face some mental disorder.