Welcome to the 21st WCP Virtual Congress Program Scheduling

Soon into the pandemic, it became clear that older adults represented a vulnerable population, experiencing greater rates of morbidity and mortality. Epidemiological data suggested that the COVID-19 fatality rate increased with age. The most widely recommended measure was to remain isolated, either at home, at a retirement facility, or at a nursing skilled facility. Higher rates of depression, insomnia and suicide in the elderly population had already been described in previous quarantines in this age group. This symposium will discuss the deleterious effects of prolonged isolation and loneliness, both in the mental and physical health of older adults. Preliminary findings on the effects of isolation during this pandemic will be presented, as well as the challenges to protect community and nursing home residents from contracting the virus, while at the same time continue offering mental health care, through in-person or telehealth services. Additionally, this symposium examines and proposes practical recommendations to avoid mental, cognitive, physical, and functional decline, in this population, while they remain isolated from contracting the Sars-Cov-2 virus. We will present a description of successful measures to prevent deleterious effects of isolation in the mental and physical health of older adults. The management of COVID-19 outbreaks in nursing home facilities Prevention measures of virus spread and social isolation, both in community dwelling and retirement home residents, even before the vaccination becomes widely available.