Background: The population of older adults in Brazil shall stand for 29% of the general population in 2050. Chronic Noncommunicable Chronic Diseases (CNCDs) and the presence of neurocognitive diseases are the most prevalent in this group. Data related to CNCDs and maintenance of cognitive health among older adults are thus essential. Objective: Investigate the relations between CNCDs and cognitive performance of older adults in the pandemic framework. Methods: This is a quantitative and exploratory research. The following tools were employed: the Brazilian telephone version of the Mini Mental State Examination (Braztel-MMSE) and an open-ended questionnaire with 9 questions concerning CNCDs. Results: 428 older adults aged 67.54±5.65 and with education levels of 14.72±3.54 years were evaluated. High Blood Pressure (41%), Arthritis/Rheumatism (27%), Diabetes Mellitus (17%), Depression (13%) and Osteoporosis (13%) were the most often reported CNCDs. The Braztel-MMSE score was 20.24±1.49 and there was no difference among CNCDs except for the group with osteoporosis which showed inferior performance (p=0.012). The multiple regression test with the Braztel-MMSE dependent variable showed Osteoporosis (p=0.032) and Diabetes Mellitus (0.081) variables as predictors. Conclusion: Results suggest that there is no association between CNCDs and cognitive performance due to the high education level of those surveyed, except for the osteoporosis variable. Such findings document the importance of CNCD prevention and control and of the education level as a factor of cognitive reserve development.

Background: Literature data emphasize that the recent spread of the new Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered several mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders. Fear of the illness and social distancing have shown to be risk factors for mood disorders. It is thus necessary to study the relation between mood disorders in older adults during the pandemic. Objective: Analyze the relation between mood disorders and COVID-19 in older adults within the pandemic framework. Methods: Cross-sectional study with the application of the following tools: Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15) and Geriatric Anxiety Inventory (GAI). Results: 428 older adults with an average age of 67.54±5.65 years were evaluated. Most of them were married females with an education level of 14.72±3.54 years and only 10% of them had fallen ill to COVID-19. 71% of them reported changes in mood and anxiety levels due to the pandemic. There was also a significant statistical difference between this group and the other 29% regarding GDS15 and GAI scores (p <0.001). Meaningful correlations were found between GDS and GAI (rho = 0.52 / ρ = 0,001) in which the larger the depressive symptomatology, the higher the anxiety level was. Conclusion: Results suggest that there have been associations between depression and anxiety symptoms in older adults during the pandemic period. Such findings are important for the implementation of social and health public policies.

Background: Consequences of social isolation have worsened in populations of older adults during the current COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in the number of older individuals who show depression symptoms and change in life satisfaction levels has been verified. Studies which evaluate depressive symptomatology and the sense of life satisfaction in older individuals are necessary for healthcare planning. Objective: Investigate the presence of depression symptoms and of life satisfaction levels in older individuals during the current pandemic. Methods: This is a quantitative and exploratory research using the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS15) and its first question to evaluate life satisfaction. Results: The surveyed older adults were 428 individuals with an average age of 67.54±5.65. Most of them were females and 33% of them lived alone. 85% of them reported being satisfied with their lives. Their GDS15 score was 3.39±4.00 and there were no statistical differences between groups of individuals living alone or in the company of others. On the other hand, it was verified that participants who were satisfied with their lives showed lower scores in the GDS15 (p<0.001). Conclusion: It was verified that the sense of life satisfaction is related to depression symptoms. Such findings document the importance of life satisfaction, making it an essential indicator of subjective well-being and of life quality development to older adults within the current pandemic scenario.