Key Messages

A rapid review was conducted to identify interventions tackling the mental health consequences of outbreak-related social restrictions for older people. We identified a limited number of interventions, mostly ongoing. The interventions implemented a range of strategies such as screening, use of technology to promote social connections, use of telehealth for at-risk groups, online resources for physical and psychological health, and proving reliable information and support to minimize outbreak-related worries. Similar strategies were proposed by experts who also highlighted the need to consider vulnerable groups such as those with poorer digital literacy, chronic conditions, and more disadvantaged socio-economic background.

Keywords

• Mental Health
• Social distancing
• Elderly population
• Social isolation
• Social networks
• Knowledge Synthesis
• Loneliness
• Confinement
• Outbreak
• Resilience

Author(s)

• Nominated Principal Applicant: Laurette Dube, McGill University
• Catherine Paquet, Université Laval
• Mike Cisneros-Franco, McGill University
• Laurette Dubé, McGill University

For more information, please contact: Sabina Hamalova, sabina.hamalova@mcgill.ca

Related Syntheses

• School-Based Suicide Risk Assessment Using eHealth: A Scoping Review
• Interventions to Mitigate COVID-19 Related Mental Health Risks for Those with Pre-existing Chronic Health Conditions and Facing Social and Economic Barriers: A Scoping and Rapid Realist Review
• Niikaniganaw (All My Relations) Ii – the COVID-19 Rapid Response: Indigenous Approaches to Synthesizing Knowledge for Culturally-safe and Stigma Free Mental Health Care for Under-served Indigenous Communities in Ottawa-Gatineau

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Population

Aging

Language

To ensure the rapid dissemination of this critical information, information is published in the language in which it was submitted. Please contact us for French or English translations.