AUTHOR=Lehtisalo Jenni , Palmer Katie , Mangialasche Francesca , Solomon Alina , Kivipelto Miia , Ngandu Tiia 

TITLE=Changes in Lifestyle, Behaviors, and Risk Factors for Cognitive Impairment in Older Persons During the First Wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Finland: Results From the FINGER Study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychiatry

VOLUME=Volume 12 - 2021

YEAR=2021

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624125

DOI=10.3389/fpsyt.2021.624125

ISSN=1664-0640

ABSTRACT=Aims: To describe how the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic affected older persons from the general Finnish population, who are at-risk of developing cognitive impairment or already have dementia. Specifically, to describe whether participants experienced a change in risk factors that are relevant for the prevention of cognitive declineincluding diet, physical activity, access to medical care, social and cognitive stimulating activities, and emotional health and wellbeing. 
Method: A postal survey was sent in June 2020 to 859 participants from the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER), an ongoing longitudinal study. The survey was developed to assess the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and related infection-control measures on daily life, specifically commitment to distancing measures, access to healthcare and social services, daily activities, and changes in cognitive and social activities.
Results: By September 2020  613 (71%) participants responded (mean age=77.7 years, 32% lived alone, 80% had at least one chronic condition). Three quarters adopted some distancing practices during the first months of the pandemic. Older participants more likely to practice total isolation than younger ones (29% vs. 19%; p=0.003). Non-acute healthcare visits were cancelled for 5% of the participants who needed appointments, but cancellations in dental healthcare (43%), home aid (30%), and rehabilitative services (53%) were more common. Pandemic-related changes were reported in social engagements, e.g. less contact with friends (55%) and family (31%), or less frequent attendance in cultural events (38%) or associations (25%), although remote contact with others increased for 40%. Feelings of loneliness increased for 21%, particularly those who were older (p=0.023) or living alone (p<0.001). Physical activity reduced for 34%, but dietary habits remained stable or improved. Pandemic-related changes in lifestyle and activities were more evident among those living alone.  
Conclusions: Finnish older persons generally reported less negatives changes in lifestyles and behaviors during the pandemic than expected. Older people and those living alone seemed more susceptible to negative changes.  It is important to compare how coping strategies may compare with other European countries, to identify factors that may help older individuals to maintain healthy lifestyles during future waves of COVID-19.