It has made it challenging because typically services that would go out to home visits or see people face to face have become much more limited. In that sense, then, that direct connection with the individual.... Many older adults don't have computer capacity at home, so the contact may be over the telephone as opposed to a virtual meeting like this. There is increased isolation, and it is causing, from a mental health perspective, increased feelings of anxiety, uncertainty. As mentioned by some of the other witnesses, the increased isolation is increasing symptoms of depression. For some individuals that may then lead to increased symptoms of psychosis.
It really is having a major impact, and it's making it challenging for us to provide that direct service.