The loneliness of institutionalized elderly people during the Covid pandemic 19

The pandemic highlighted the specific vulnerabilities of the elderly, but also the need for specific policies and measures to protect this category of population. During this period, governments applied different isolation strategies, often imposing social restrictions. The imposed isolation overlapped with an existing unfavorable situation in which seniors experienced significant feelings of loneliness. While social isolation is associated with poorer health outcomes, the psychological experience of loneliness makes an additional, unique contribution to illness and mortality. The resulting complex individual and multiple health needs place a burden on health systems and, in combination with social vulnerability during COVID-19, loneliness of the elderly is a growing public health problem.