Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic Of Iran

en Social Problems of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematized Review Geriatric Medicine Geriatric Medicine Systematic Review <div>    Background: While the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic devastated the healthcare systems, its consequences have been particularly severe for senior citizens. They have been at higher risk of being physically affected and faced more social and mental problems in the COVID-19 era. During the pandemic, they, more than other age groups, reported a feeling of loneliness, symptoms of depression, and anxiety, and, more than ever, faced ageism, discrimination, and elder abuse. Although many people can overcome social isolation in the light of social media and the internet, the elderly are not digitally literate and welcoming to technology like younger generations. Recognizing the unique needs of older adults must be considered in making health policies.    Methods: In this systematized review, we collected all studies originally written in English and containing relative information regarding the social problems of older adults during the pandemic in PubMed, Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science (n = 25).    Results: Findings were categorized into 3 main components: (1) body function and body structure, (2) activities and participation, and (3) environmental factors.    Conclusion: Social isolation has proven more debilitating for older adults, as they often lack equal access to the internet, nor are they equally welcoming to social media and the internet as younger generations. This negative impact is worse for those with chronic conditions, especially cognitive impairments.  </div> <div></div> Coronavirus Disease 2019, Elderly, Mental Health, Social Problem 942 949 http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-8124-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Somaye Nabi drsomayenabi@gmail.com 200319475328460089690 200319475328460089690 No University of Illinois Chicago, USA Zhale Zandieh zhzandie@gmail.com 200319475328460089691 200319475328460089691 No Iranian Research Center on Ageing, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Farzaneh Bahadori bahadori_farzaneh@yahoo.com 200319475328460089692 200319475328460089692 No Department of Gerontology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Razieh Bakhshandeh Dr.r.bakhshande@gmail.com 200319475328460089693 200319475328460089693 No Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Roghie Bagheri rb.msmidwifery@yahoo.com 200319475328460089694 200319475328460089694 No Department of Gerontology, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran Maryam Niksolat niksolat.m@iums.ac.ir 200319475328460089695 200319475328460089695 Yes Geriatric Mental Health Research Center, Department of Geriatric Medicine, Firoozabadi Clinical and Research Development Unit, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran