Consideration of Psychosocial Impact of COVID-19 on Elderly in UK

This essay examines the significant psychosocial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the elderly population within the United Kingdom. It begins by defining COVID-19 and the elderly demographic, highlighting the increased vulnerability and adverse health outcomes faced by this group. The main body delves into the concept of psychosocial well-being, exploring how social and environmental factors influence mental health and behavior. The essay identifies and discusses five key psychosocial impacts of the pandemic, including increased anxiety, depression, social isolation, and the challenges of digital adaptation within the healthcare system. The study also addresses the impact of restricted movement and limitations in social interaction, impacting their physical health and routine. The conclusion summarizes the main points and suggests ways in which society can assist the elderly in recovering from the pandemic, emphasizing the need for care, support, and positive energy to aid their mental and physical health. The essay uses several references to support the analysis.

THE IMPACT OF
COVID19 ON THE
ELDERLY IN UK

Contents
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Main Body.............................................................................................................................................3
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................6
References.............................................................................................................................................7

Essay Title: Consider the psychosocial impact of the current COVID 19 Pandemic On
The Daily Lives of the Elderly Population In the United Kingdom
Introduction
As per the definition of World Health Organisation, Corona Virus disease - 2019 can be
described as a communicable disease that is easily transferrable and transmitted from one
person to another. It can be termed as a dangerous disease that can also lead to death if not
treated at an early stage. An individual suffering from COVID -19 faces milder symptoms
such as sore throat cough fever and may also result into major respiratory concerns.
Elderly population can be described as a population segment ranging from the age of 65 and
above. The chances of contracting COVID -19 are very high among the concerned population
and especially to the elder people suffering from any sort of underlying health condition. The
impact of Corona pandemic has resulted in serious implication for the respective segment as
it has lead to increase in agitation, anxiousness and hypertension as well as depression among
the respective population. It has been examined that the mortality rate of elderly population in
regard with COVID -19 is very high. The reason for the same can be stated as the low or
weak immunity power and other underlying diseases as well. The COVID -19 measures for
the elderly population are extremely stern in United Kingdom so as to ensure that the virus
chain can be broken and a safe and healthy environment can be facilitated to the individuals.
The report highlights upon the psychosocial implication of the existing pandemic within the
routine lives of elderly segment in the UK. It reflects upon the meaning of psychosocial
element as well as determines the five major psychosocial impacts associated with the
COVID pandemic within the daily lives of elderly people.
Main Body
Psychosocial can be characterised as term that denotes the influence or implication caused by
the existing social environmental factors upon the mindset, opinions as well as behaviour of a
particular individual. The concerned term “Psychosocial” lays concern over the fact that the
social aspects and elements can have an effect on the behavioural tendencies and attitudes of
individuals in an extreme manner. It can be stated that social as well as psychological
dimensions of an individual are interrelated with its social setting and circumstances as well
as its psychological health and wellbeing. Psychosocial stability within an individual’s life is

very significant in order to ensure its mental capacity and capabilities and response to the
alterations within the social environment.
The prevailing pandemic has led to severe implications upon the psychosocial health of
elderly people across the globe. It has been examined that the ongoing COVID -19 pandemic
has directed towards rise in the number of depression, stress, anxiety, fear and vulnerability
among the elder population around the globe. The restricted movement of the elderly
population has left them with no choice expect isolating themselves at their respective homes.
It has further contributed to the rise in the feeling of loneliness among the elder people which
in turn has also impacted upon their emotional trigger and metal heath in an enhanced manner
(Rauschenberg, et. al, 2021). The inability of the elderly population to gain the social support
and meet their families and friends has created a void that is constantly nagging within their
everyday lives. It has been analyse in the past researches that elderly individuals tend to
exhibit higher rate of depression. The emergence of pandemic has contributed to an increase
in this rate and the mental condition of the people who were already fighting with their
mental demons has worsened as well.
The severe decline in the mental health directly or indirectly does impact the ht physical
wellbeing of the individuals. In context to elderly people, the enhancement in the mental
stress and anxiety can also facilitate the elderly population to get prone to the Alzheimer
disease. It can be anticipated that the physical diseases will hike up within the elderly
population within the coming period due to the lack of emotional stability and persistence.
Moreover, the implantation of lockdown has restricted the outdoor movement of the elderly
populations which in turn has resulted in limitation within the exercise routines within the
same. In the pre pandemic period, elder people used to spend some time outdoor with their
friends and family and would also invest their time into running and routine work (Liu, et.al,
2021). The regular running and exercises can considered to be highly beneficial for the elder
groups as it helps in maintaining the appropriate blood circulation, reduction in the obesity,
healthy mind etc. However, the prevailing pandemic has also impacted the daily routines of
the elderly and their physical health and immunity can be at risk due to the same.
The lack of socialization has also affected the day to day lives of the elderly population to a
higher extent. It can be said that elder population required support and lover from their family
and loved ones. The intensive care and attention needs to be facilitated to the elderly
individuals in order to ensure that they are happy and healthy (Li and Wang, 2020). With the

current pandemic, the social connect of the elder population has been out of order. The
pandemic has led several restrictions in regard with seeing their family and dear ones due to
the existing safety guidelines and procedures. The concerned population has become more
tensed and worried about their children and family residing far away from them. It can be
sated that the social deprivations have resulted in a feeling of misery and sorrow among the
concerned age group.
In addition to that, the pandemic has given the advance acceleration to the digital culture. The
health care industry has also optimized upon the digital mediums in order to facilitate the
much required assistance to the patients all around the world (Lebrasseur, et.al 2021). It is
quite evident that the elder population exhibit a higher possibility to the contraction of
Corona Virus which can further result in major health concerns for the same. It can be
examined that several steps have been taken by the global health care sector in order to aid
the patients through the utilisation of technical mediums and digital platforms. There is a
prominent section within the elderly population that is not used to or comfortable with the
utilisation of online medical service due to lack of optimal knowledge and understanding
within the concerned field (Pan, et.al, 2021). The inability of the elder population to
effectively use the technology in their favour and seek medical help for their health issues
and queries can be stated as a major concern.
It can be said that the entire world has been digitalised in a way that from education to
shopping to the medical aid, every given sector has adopted the online route in order to
restrain the physical connectivity and promote efficient work operations from a distance and
continue the functioning in a productive manner. It can be assed that the elder generation will
require some time in order to adapt and make them at ease with the existing digital culture.
Moreover, the quality of life has also been disrupted due to the pandemic situation. In case of
elderly population, individuals’ daily schedules are highly impacted in an adverse manner
(Duong, 2021). The standard of living as well as the social environment of the elderly people
has been hit by the pandemic which in turn has led to major complication such as
psychosocial distress among the same. Currently, everyone is hoping and praying for the
brighter future. The society needs to join hands together and facilitate aid to the elderly so as
to ensure that they get the much needed help and support during such tough times.

Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be derived that COVID -19 pandemic has had some serious
effects upon the lives of the elderly people. Their mental as wells as physical health of elderly
individuals has been compromised due to the ongoing pandemic environment. In addition to
the same, the loss of social connectivity as well as the inability function in accordance with
the digital platforms has also emerged few more potential issues for the concerned age group.
It can be said that their overall quality of life has been disturbed and interrupted because of
the pandemic. In order to help the elderly to cope up with the current pandemic, the younger
generation needs to cater them with safety, security and belongingness. They need to be taken
care of and excessive attention needs to provided to the same so as help them to release their
stress and rejuvenate themselves. An optimistic and positive energy must be generated within
the elderly surroundings so as to help them fight with the pandemic and come out victorious
and stronger through the same.

References
Rauschenberg, et. al, 2021. Evidence synthesis of digital interventions to mitigate the
negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on public mental health: rapid meta-
review. Journal of medical Internet research, 23(3), p.e23365.
Liu, et.al, 2021. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young
people: A comparison between China and the United Kingdom. Chinese Journal of
Traumatology.
Lebrasseur, et.al 2021. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults: rapid
review. JMIR aging, 4(2), p.e26474.
Li, L.Z. and Wang, S., 2020. Prevalence and predictors of general psychiatric disorders and
loneliness during COVID-19 in the United Kingdom. Psychiatry research, 291, p.113267.
Pan, et.al, 2021. The mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with and
without depressive, anxiety, or obsessive-compulsive disorders: a longitudinal study of three
Dutch case-control cohorts. The Lancet Psychiatry, 8(2), pp.121-129.
Duong, C.D., 2021. The impact of fear and anxiety of Covid-19 on life satisfaction:
Psychological distress and sleep disturbance as mediators. Personality and Individual
Differences, 178, p.110869.