THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL ISOLATION ON THE ELDERLY IN ROMANIA, DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

During the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), several societies paid special attention to the elderly, in terms of physical distance from society, as a means of primary prevention, due to the vulnerability of this age group, in relation to the consequences negative effects of Covid-19 on their health. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the mental health and social well-being of the elderly and favored the appearance of symptoms of anxiety and depression, the experience of increased psychological stress, in response to new, unpredictable, and uncontrollable stimuli. The measures of physical and social isolation deepen the feeling of loneliness and produce significant changes within the social networks of the elderly (distance from family members and the group of friends). Loneliness is strongly associated with higher levels of depression for the elderly who were separated from support groups during the pandemic.