Project Details
Description
Older adults are the most at-risk group for COVID-19 infection. Self-isolation is likely to affect both formal and informal care and lead to loneliness, depression, accelerated functional and cognitive decline, and falls. Loneliness is a serious public health concern and a risk factor for premature mortality, poor physical and psychological wellbeing. interRAI Home Care is a comprehensive geriatric assessment mandated for all older New Zealanders assessed for publicly funded home support services and aged residential care. The interRAI population typically have physical illness and/or functional impairment. A NZ study found a high rate of loneliness (21%) among older adults assessed with the interRAI Home Care. It is likely that the interRAI population (~36,000 interRAI assessments per year) will experience further decline in their health and psychosocial well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. The objectives of this study are to (i) track the impact of COVID-19 on the health and psychosocial indicators of the interRAI population quarterly in the first year of COVID-19; (ii) compare these indicators with the same indicators in the year before COVID-19; and (iii) report these indicators publicly as soon as data analysis is completed every quarter.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 8/1/17 → 6/30/22 |