Study: Depression, loneliness increased for older adults during pandemicDepression and loneliness have increased among older adults during the pandemic, prompting a need for more coordinated efforts to address the issue, according to a report on social isolation in older Canadians.The report was conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University's Gerontology Research Centre for the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum and used data from participants enrolled in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), a long-term study (at least 20 years) of 50,000 Canadians ages 45 to 85.
Women reported a significant increase in loneliness during the pandemic, with those aged 65 to 74 experiencing a 67% increase in loneliness and a rise in depression from 19% prepandemic (2011 to 2015) to 23% in 2020.
Women ages 75 to 84 reported a 37% increase in loneliness.Men also saw a jump in loneliness by 45% in the 65-to-74 age-group and 33% in the 75-to-84 age-group.The loneliness may be linked to limited time with family: More than 60% of women over age 65 said the pandemic separated them from family.The authors of the report also emphasized that older Canadians were not a homogenous group: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning and their allies (LGBTQA) experienced more depression in the pandemic, as did those living in rural areas.More outreach and digital education should be done to connect older Canadians during the pandemic, the authors said. "Ensuring all Canadians have access to low-cost home internet and free internet in public spaces should be a priority," they said in a press release on the report. Apr 11 social isolation report Apr 11 Simon Fraser University press