Pandemic has made many older people's mental health problems worse, says report

The joint report from the Mental Health Foundation and Independent Age, says many people in later life have coped well and shown resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some having positive experiences of neighbourly support and closer links with friends and relatives.

However, others have faced challenges that have caused worry and anxiety and negatively affected their mental health and wellbeing.

The report outlines how for some older people, the end of lockdown restrictions did not make much difference: there was no happy "return to normal". They will continue to face the same illness, loneliness or isolation, or a combination of these, as they did before and/or during the pandemic.

The two charities say that governments must ensure that their mental health wellbeing and recovery plans fully consider the needs of people in later life. This must include a focus on social connection, bereavement support, and appropriate routes to access treatment and care to bolster people's mental health.