What is happening to the elderly under the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and prevention of dementia

Abstract

The novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) has had a strong impact on older adults. Social environment changes have reduced opportunities to go out, resulting in physical and mental illnesses, which have become a major problem. Biological factors, such as direct infection of the brain due to the virus, vascular damage, and thrombus formation, have been reported as a result of COVID-19. In contrast, as for social factors, the social environment surrounding older adults is changing. The physical and mental effects caused by difficulties in going out due to infection control measures creates social isolation. Furthermore, economic factors also have an impact. Many unresolved issues still remain. Hence, it is necessary to take careful measures to prevent harm to the patient by providing appropriate medical treatment and social support. From this viewpoint, preventing infection and suppressing the development of post-infection symptoms, from a preventive perspective, will lead to the prevention of worsening of dementia.