Effects of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Elder Mistreatment and Response in New York City: Initial Lessons

Abstract

New York City is currently experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus, which is particularly dangerous for older adults. This pandemic has led to public health policies including social distancing and stay-at-home orders. We explore here the impact of this unique crisis on victims of elder mistreatment and people at risk of victimization. The COVID-19 outbreak has also had a profound impact on the organizations from many sectors that typically respond to protect and serve victims of elder mistreatment. We examine this impact and describe creative solutions developed by these organizations and initial lessons learned in New York City to help inform other communities facing this pandemic and provide guidance for future crises.

Novo coronavírus e os riscos do isolamento social para os idosos: revisão integrativa

“…Após a análise detalhada dos artigos, constatou-se que, o isolamento social pode trazer consequências negativas tanto para a saúde física quanto para a saúde mental e social dos idosos (9)(10)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20) .…”

“…O idoso em isolamento pode sentir-se abandonado e desmotivado, o que poderá gerar conflitos familiares. Além disso, todos esses fatores afetarão negativamente seu sistema imunológico, deixando-o ainda mais propenso ao adoecimento (8)(9)(10)(14)(15)18) .…”

“…Os idosos fazem parte de um grupo de pessoas que normalmente já se sentiam isolados mesmo antes do surgimento do SARS-CoV-2. O distanciamento de familiares e amigos, e a redução do acesso aos serviços básicos causou um aumento dos níveis de ansiedade, insegurança, medo e depressão nas pessoas idosas, o que pode levar a recaídas físicas e cognitivas fazendo com que fiquem cada vez mais dependentes (9,15,(17)(18) .…”

Violência contra idosos durante a pandemia de Covid-19 no Brasil: contribuições para seu enfrentamento

“…Concerning the dimension that involves individual characteristics, the increased levels of stress and anxiety due to the fear of falling ill, not having access to health services, requiring hospitalization or even dying due to the disease, in parallel with the distancing of family members and friends and poor access to social support institutions, can exacerbate depressive symptoms, and deteriorate neurological and cognitive problems and pre-existing clinical conditions, as already mentioned, which favors new occurrences and worsening of existing situations of violence 29,30,46 . The overload of family caregivers who accumulate care for older adults with home chores, care for children and adolescents, and remote work, when applicable, or stress of job or income loss also make up this vulnerable picture.…”

“…Despite the topic's relevance, the discussion on possible strategies for coping with VAOA during COVID-19 is still unimpressive globally. In a recent review considering PUBMED database, only two scientific papers 29,30 called attention to the possibility of increased violence against this population group during the pandemic. Publications in other media are also scarce.…”