Baycrest

14 14 Brain BrainMatters Matters FALL|WINTER 2020 2020 THE EFFECTS OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON SENIORS' BRAIN HEALTH I t comes as no surprise that many of us are finding it difficult to cope day-to-day as we struggle to adapt to a new way of life brought on by the pandemic. Among those most heavily affected are older adults (65+), who are at a higher risk for illness and death due to infection, and account for more than 95 per cent of COVID-19 deaths in Ontario. They are also vulnerable to the effects of one of the main defences we have in the fight against COVID-19 — physical distancing. This can result in isolation that leads to depression and the worsening of medical conditions. To help inform public health policy and identify ways to support older adults during this time, researchers at Baycrest's Rotman Research Institute (RRI) are examining the effects of the pandemic on mental health and dementia risk among this group. "Older adults are vulnerable to the effects of one of the main defences we have in the fight against COVID-19 — physical distancing." MENTAL HEALTH A joint study by Baycrest and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is examining the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and physical distancing on the mental health of older adults. The researchers are monitoring changes in mental health and the incidence of psychiatric illness during the pandemic in 475 older adults in Toronto. They are also looking at resilience and coping among this group, both of which are known to support mental health. The study is led by Dr. Linda Mah, clinician scientist at the RRI. Co-leading is Dr. Benoit Mulsant, clinician scientist in the Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute at CAMH and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto (U of T). "Seniors' mental health is a highly relevant issue right now. Our findings will allow public health officials to make informed decisions on how best to implement community-wide restrictions to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, while minimizing mental health risks in seniors," says Dr. Mah. "In addition, by examining factors that affect seniors' mental health during the pandemic, this study will provide information that can be used to develop interventions to support seniors during this time and beyond the pandemic." Dr. Mah was recently invited to be an expert member of Ontario's new COVID-19 Science Advisory Table, which will brief the government on how best to address clinical needs during the pandemic.

• Cover