Long-term Effects of COVID-19 on Cognitive Functioning and Psychological Well-being among Elderly in India: A Comparative Analysis

The cognitive functioning and psychological well-being (PWB) of geriatric inhabitants gradually decreases with increasing age. The pandemic caused by COVID-19 has further impacted this decline. The objective of the current research was to explore the significant differences in PWB (loneliness, hopelessness, self-acceptance, & purpose in life) and cognitive functioning between subjects with a history of COVID-19 and healthy controls (HC) among the geriatric population in India. The present cross-sectional research involved 30 participants with a history of COVID-19, along with 30 HC, recruited through purposive sampling method. Questionnaires were used to measure the variables of cognitive functioning, and psychological wellbeing (hopelessness, loneliness, self-acceptance, and purpose in life). Independent sample t-tests revealed significantly deprived levels of cognitive functioning (p<0.001) and PWB in participants with a history of COVID-19 compared to HC, which comprised of loneliness (p<0.001), hopelessness (p<0.001), self-acceptance (p=0.004) and purpose in life (p=0.046). The research findings highlight the influence of COVID-19 in the geriatric population leading to an impairment in cognitive functioning and impaired levels of PWB. Suitable methods should be taken to distinguish these cognitive impairments and poor well-being levels to keep the geriatric population at the optimum mental health state.