Situational Assessment of Health Regarding Socioaffective Changes in Elderly Brazilians During the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown in a City in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil

Introduction: With Brazil’s population reaching 208.5 million in 2017 and a clear global trend of aging, combined with chronic illnesses, the susceptibility of older adults to COVID-19 became a major concern, particularly regarding their functionality. Therefore, investigating these conditions in this demographic is crucial to ensuring better living standards. Methodology: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, mixed-methods study was carried out using a survey administered to 417 elderly individuals in Ribeirão Preto-SP, Brazil. The city has a population of 711,825, with a 5% margin of error and a 95% confidence level. The study received approval from the Research Ethics Committee/Plataforma Brasil, CAAE 55625822.2.0000.5378. Results and Discussion: 57.4% of participants were women, and 42.6% were men. Regarding their emotions during the lockdown, 31.5% reported fear, 44.2% sadness, 47.6% loneliness, and 37.3% anxiety. Surprisingly, only 5.3% acknowledged the need for mental health support, a number well below the 40% recommended by the WHO for mental health issues during the pandemic. Functionality showed a positive correlation with socioaffective symptoms, with dependence (0.7%), partial dependence (53.8%), and independence (45.5%) (p 0.40, Chi-Square Test). Conclusion: The findings underline the urgent need to enhance mental health services to meet the increasing demand and address structural challenges. Awareness, stigma reduction, and a comprehensive approach are essential. Suggested strategies include education, prejudice reduction, effective communication, individualized care, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Resource limitations, access barriers, and a disease-centered approach present significant challenges, emphasizing the need for equitable care.