Evaluación del estado cognitivo en adultos mayores de Atahualpa – Tungurahua, durante la pandemia covid-19”

Abstract

“The pandemic due to COVID-19 has affected a large part of the human population, social distancing was imposed to limit viral exposure, suspending activities outside the home with emphasis on the elderly, in whom more severe clinical forms are reported. The mental state in the elderly is a fundamental component, which has been affected by the health isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study seeks to demonstrate that changes are generated in the cognitive status of older adults due to social isolation. A mixed, qualitative-quantitative, longitudinal design study was carried out with the participation of 37 older adults who met the selection criteria, signed the informed consent form, and were evaluated with the Folstein Mini-Mental State Examination test in two stages, with and without isolation. Among the main results, it was observed that the mean age was 75.4 years, a higher prevalence of female gender, low schooling and a higher frequency of diseases such as arterial hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus. It is shown that cognitive impairment is associated with social isolation in older adults; this approach requires specialized interventions to promote activities for older adults and progressively integrate their socialization and inclusion.