Research, data and specialists opinion suggest we may face a big increase in suicide and mortality rates, risk on health and life satisfaction in those aged 65 years and older (during pandemics, social isolation, loss of personal control over their life, increased stress levels or mental health challenges)
The severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in 2003 was associated with a 30% increase in suicide in those aged 65 years and older;
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7159850/
Conclusions
Anxiety disorders significantly increased mortality risk. Comorbidity of anxiety disorders and depression played an important part in the increased mortality.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5082973/
We found that elderly people with a lower Life Satisfaction Index (LSI) score, regardless of gender, were at risk of increased mortality from all causes, and low LSI score was also associated with cardiovascular mortality.
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3305484/
In their early research, residents at a nursing home were randomly assigned to 2 groups: 1 group was told they could arrange their furniture as they wanted, go where they wanted, spend time with whom they wanted, and so forth and were given a plant to care for; the other group was told that the staff was there to take care of and help them, including watering a plant given to each of them. During this study, and 18 months later, residents who were given control and personal responsibility had improved health; among those for whom control had not changed, a greater proportion had died.
Influential research by Rodin and Langer begin-ning in the 1970s on the benefits of enhancing control among older adults served to demonstrate the unique capacity of people to vitally age if given choice, autonomy, and opportunities to stay engaged. As written by Friedan (1993), “Langer warned: In situations in which people over time gradually and insidiously lose control, they don’t take risks and they retreat into an all too familiar world. When people feel they can exercise some control over their environment, they seek out new information, plan, strategize . . . they behave mind-fully” (p. 90). An opportunity to engage in mindful activity indeed opposes the stereotype of aging as mere decline; instead, aging can be full of possi-bilities, plasticity, and reserve capacity (Baltes & Baltes, 1990); in essence, aging truly can include continued growth as long as personal control remains.
“Perceived Control in the Lives of Older Adults: The Influence of Langer and Rodin’s Work on Gerontological Theory, Policy, and Practice”
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23723436
Source: https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/72f8/d9e4e8cbd0ad1897e9a183836b33298f46a0.pdf
Our results further suggest that optimism is specifically related to 11 to 15% longer life span, on average, and to greater odds of achieving “exceptional longevity,” that is, living to the age of 85 or beyond. These relations were independent of socioeconomic status, health conditions, depression, social integration, and health behaviors (e.g., smoking, diet, and alcohol use). Overall, findings suggest optimism may be an important psychosocial resource for extending life span in older adults.
Source: https://www.pnas.org/content/116/37/18357
Health effects of social isolation, loneliness
Research has linked social isolation and loneliness to higher risks for a variety of physical and mental conditions: high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, a weakened immune system, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease, and even death.
Source: https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/social-isolation-loneliness-older-people-pose-health-risks
Older adults reporting social isolation or loneliness show poorer cognitive function 4 years later
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23749730
A study of 6,500 UK men and women aged over 52 found that being isolated from family and friends was linked with a 26% higher death risk over seven years.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-21929197
Research on older people well-being and mortality rate
Social isolation increases death risk in older people
Previous research has suggested that people who have limited social contact are at increased risk of death. Many researchers have suggested that this is possibly due to the emotional effects of isolation – that feeling lonely is bad for health.
This suggests that factors other than loneliness – such as having no-one to check on a person’s health – may contribute to increased risk of death.
Efforts to reduce social isolation are likely to have positive outcomes for wellbeing and mortality rates.
Source: https://www.nhs.uk/news/older-people/social-isolation-increases-death-risk-in-older-people/
Social Support and Social Networks: Their Relationship to the Successful and Unsuccessful Survival of Elderly People in the Community. An Analysis of Concepts and a Review of the Evidence
Source: https://academic.oup.com/fampra/article-abstract/8/1/68/506207
During the Sars epidemic of 2003, for example, there was a 30% increase in suicide in the over-65s, the paper says.
Source: https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/99436893
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/health-52295894
The severe acute respiratory syndrome epidemic in 2003 was associated with a 30% increase in suicide in those aged 65 years and older; around 50% of recovered patients remained anxious; and 29% of health-care workers experienced probable emotional distress.18, 19, 20 Patients who survived severe and life-threatening illness were at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.19, 20 Many of the anticipated consequences of quarantine14 and associated social and physical distancing measures are themselves key risk factors for mental health issues. These include suicide and self-harm, alcohol and substance misuse, gambling, domestic and child abuse, and psychosocial risks (such as social disconnection, lack of meaning or anomie, entrapment, cyberbullying, feeling a burden, financial stress, bereavement, loss, unemployment, homelessness, and relationship breakdown).21, 22, 23
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7159850/