The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the mental health of older people and those who are lonely have been particularly affected, suggests new research from McMaster University, published in Nature Aging.

Researchers used data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA) and noted that 43% of adults, 50 years of age or above, had moderate or high levels of depressive symptoms at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The proportion was found to increase over time. Loneliness significantly predicted worsening depressive symptoms, with other stressors, such as family conflict, also playing their part. Factors associated with increased odds of moderate or high levels of depressive symptoms included caregiving responsibilities, being separated from family, family conflict, and loneliness, and it worsened over time… (HT – ANI, November 26, 2021)