Pandemic Lessons: Resilience and Hope

Area of Science:

• Psychosocial Nursing
• Gerontology
• Mental Health

Background:

• The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic significantly impacted older adults, especially those in long-term care, due to prolonged isolation.
• Pandemic restrictions heightened feelings of loneliness across all age groups, making resilience and hope crucial concepts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the definitions and roles of resilience and hope in older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• To identify interventions that can enhance hope and resilience in this population.

Main Methods:

• A review of existing evidence was conducted to define resilience and hope.
• The study examined the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy and life review interventions.

Main Results:

• Resilience is an ongoing adaptive process in adversity.
• Hope acts as a moderator of resilience by facilitating sense-making during difficult situations.
• Cognitive-behavioral therapy and life review interventions effectively improved hope, thereby boosting resilience.

Conclusions:

• Mental health providers should assess loneliness, isolation, resilience, and hope in older adults.
• Interventions aimed at increasing resilience and hope are recommended for older adults facing depression, bereavement, or medical conditions.