Older people and COVID‐19: Isolation, risk and ageism

Abstract

Internationally, health authorities and governments are warning older people that they are at a higher risk of more serious and possible fatal illness associated with COVID-19. Mortality data from Oxford COVID-19 Evidence Service (25/3/20) indicate a risk of mortality of 3.6% for people in their 60s, which increases to 8.0% and 14.8% for people in their 70s and over 80s. Therefore, the global recommendation for older populations includes social isolation, which involves staying at home and avoiding contact with other people, possibly for an extended period of time, currently estimated to be between three and four months. Older populations in this current

Home monitoring for COVID-19

“…8,9,10 These may be exacerbated in those who are already socially isolated or have a chronic illness. 11 Integration of psychiatry, behavioral health, social work, and community partners in the Cleveland Clinic home monitoring program will be key. Additional criteria (such as obesity, dementia, newborns of COVID-19-positive mothers) may need to be considered as clinical understanding of COVID-19 in different populations evolves.…”

Iriss ESSS Outline: Covid-19, social isolation, and loneliness

“…In the context of Covid-19, social isolation includes avoiding social contact with family and friends, organising the delivery of essential items, where social contact is to be maintained at a distance of two metres (Brooke, 2020).…”

“…With the current situation, where people are advised to avoid social activities, non-essential travel, and unnecessary visits to relatives or friends, where employment, housing and personal finances are precarious, there is a risk that health and wellbeing and feelings of connectiveness will deteriorate further ( Brooke, 2020 ).…”

“…Considered alongside the current Covid-19 social restrictions, the impact of disrupted social care services, the ageist discourse, and devaluing of older people contributing to feelings of worthlessness, of being a burden, older people are particularly vulnerable ( Brooke, 2020 ).…”

“…Prior to Covid-19 this was acknowledged in health and social care policies and campaigns. The Campaign to End Loneliness created a network of national, regional and local organisations to work together to ensure that loneliness of older people remains a public health priority ( Brooke, 2020 )…”