A influência das tecnologias na saúde mental dos idosos em tempos de pandemia: uma revisão integrativa

Introduction: The COVID-19 is configured as a pandemic and affects mainly elderly people. In this sense, social isolation measures were taken to prevent the spread of the virus. In order to reduce this isolation, the elderly started to become familiar with the technologies. Objective: To approach, through an integrative literature review, how technologies influence the mental health of the elderly in times of pandemic. Methodology: This is an integrative literature review, where searches were carried out on the electronic databases Scopus, Lilacs, Medline, Pubmed and Scielo, using the descriptors according to DeSC: Health Technology, Mental Health, Pandemia and Aged, published between 2019 and 2020. To compose the results, 9 articles were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria previously established. Results and discussion: It was observed that most studies (77,77%) were English language and (44,44%) were selected from Pubmed. The authors addressed that the digital inclusion of the elderly and the use of technologies help to improve the mental health of this group; reduce effects such as loneliness and the feeling of social isolation and enable greater interaction between the elderly and friends and Family. Thus, this tool strengthens the feeling of autonomy of these individuals and helps to reduce the digital divide and the stigma of prejudice with age. Conclusion: Therefore, the use of technologies by the elderly provides beneficial effects on their mental health, reducing feelings of loneliness and the feeling of isolation, in addition to providing an increased sense of security and independence.