Health Strategies in Latin America for the Elderly in relation to COVID-19

Abstract

Introduction: The quarantine measures adopted because of the COVID-19 pandemic have involved the design and implementation of health programs to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and to understand the mental health implications for the elderly, one of the most vulnerable population groups. Objective: To characterize the strategies and programs implemented by Latin American countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic, focused on the older population. Methods: Forty-five documents were reviewed including scientific articles, decrees, and guidelines issued by the Ministries of Health of 13 Latin American countries under the search criteria, COVID 19, health, and older adults. Results: Strategies were implemented according to the stages and levels of incidence of the pandemic, the most vulnerable groups were protected in the case of the elderly aged 60 or 65. It allowed classifying the countries according to the objective of their health actions focused on prevention, promotion, rehabilitation, and recovery of the patient. Discussion: The health services have been reoriented by prioritizing the increase of health promotion and disease prevention through information, education, and communication strategies. Conclusions: The health emergency decreed by the countries did not prioritize strategies or policies against the emotional and mental aspects, and the subsequent affectations of social isolation that test the strategies and psychological resources of the new normality.

Resilience and mediation: mechanisms to resolve family conflicts in times of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

“…The results of the study show that various forms of aggression are present in the family, in contrast to the concept of family as a place of protection characterized by the union of its members (67). Intrafamily violence is a recurrent factor that originates different social problems, demonstrated in a significant number of reported complaints, which has made this phenomenon an object of research due to the need to delve in-depth into the elements that configure it and propose intervention strategies with effective methods that allow the solution of family conflicts and consequently, contribute to the prevention of violence.…”

“…Useche, Acero, and Martinez (2020) (13) explain in the preliminary reports of the Colombian College of Psychologists that the most relevant sequelae of confinement are anxiety and stress, affecting not only physical but also mental well-being since it generates greater vulnerability in people to get sick and become involved in interpersonal conflicts. Consequently, this experience may alter the family dynamics either by the situation of isolation or prolonged contact (67). In this regard, Cortella (2019) (14) refers that currently there are urgencies and turbulences around the family and some urgencies cannot be considered causal factors of the loss of homeostasis in the family system.…”

Effects of vaccination against COVID-19 on the emotional health of older adults

“…7 Furthermore, the ministries of health from Latin American countries have not prioritized strategies or policies that deal with emotional and mental health problems during the pandemic, which could cause the impact on these aspects to be greater. 8 For instance, Peru is one of the countries with the highest mortality rate from COVID-19 per million inhabitants in the world 9 and it has had a significant economic and social impact. 10 In this context, high levels of worry, anxiety, and fear of COVID-19 have been described in people living in Peru.…”

Effects of vaccination against COVID-19 on the emotional health of Peruvian older adults

“…It is estimated that the damage has been especially profound in older adults in developing countries compared to those in developed countries (Babulal et al, 2021). Furthermore, most of the documents of the ministries of health from Latin American countries have not prioritized the strategies or policies that deal with emotional and mental problems during the pandemic, which could cause their impact on these aspects to be greater (Bonilla-Cruz et al, 2020). For example, Peru is one of the countries with the highest mortality rate from COVID-19 per million inhabitants in the world (Taylor, 2021) and has had a significant economic and social impact (Varona and Gonzales, 2021).…”