Depressive disorders among long-term care residents in the face of isolation due to COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim. The main aim of this study was to assess the effects of social and familial isolation due to COVID-19 on the mental well-being of patients staying in a residential medical care facility and evaluation of the effectiveness of therapeutic measures. Methods. The study was conducted among the patients of a residential medical care facility (58 patients). A short form of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) was used to assess the severity of depressive disorders. The number of medical and psychological interventions during the individual months of isolation was also compared. Results. In February 2020, when there was no isolation, 87.9% of the study group did not suffer from depression compared to 72.4% during the period of full isolation. After introducing controlled methods for contacting loved ones, the number of individuals with no depressive symptoms increased again. A mean of 1.76 medical and 0.23 psychological interventions per one patient were conducted during the period of full isolation. Conclusions. The number of medical and psychological interventions was higher during the period of full isolation compared to months without compulsory isolation due to COVID-19. After the introduction of full isolation, the scores in the GDS were significantly higher, which means that the residents were at a higher risk of depressive disorders than in the months without isolation.