Impact of social isolation on the functional capacity of the elderly from Belo Horizonte during the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on Public Health

Abstract

Objective: Analyze the level of deterioration in the functional capacity of the elderly during social isolation and reflect on how these impacts on public health. Methods: This is a cross-sectional observational study, 100% virtual, that compared some variables with the functional capacity of the study participants, measured using the Lawton scale. Results: 210 people with 67,0 (62,0 – 75,0) years of age participated, 66.7% women. The results indicated that there was a significant difference in the Lawton Scale score between: those who had and did not have a chronic disease; who works and who doesn't; who fully complied with and who partially complied with social isolation; who had and who did not have difficulties in maintaining health care during the isolation period. In addition, there was a significant difference in the Lawton Scale score between participants who reported sadness and depressed mood and those who did not. Conclusion: Several factors can play a role in the functional capacity of elderly people. However, mental health is the variable that had the greatest impact on the elderly during social isolation.