The Health of Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Authors

  • Jesús Alberto Vega Rivero Estudiante de Maestría en Salud Pública [ICSA – UAEH], Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud – Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México
  • Jesús Carlos Ruvalcaba Ledezma Departamento de Medicina y Coordinador de la Maestría en Salud Pública [ICSA – UAEH], Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud – Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México
  • Iván Hernández Pacheco Coordinador del Servicio Médico Universitario [ICSA – UAEH], Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud – Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México
  • María del Refugio Acuña Gurrola Departamento de Gerontología [ICSA – UAEH], Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud – Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México
  • Lydia López Pontigo Coordinadora de Posgrado [ICSA – UAEH], Instituto de Ciencias de la Salud – Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, México

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19230/jonnpr.3772

Keywords:

COVID-19, SARS-Cov2, older adult, coronavirus preventive measures, pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a public health problem, even more so, since it has a high degree of mortality in older adults. To guarantee the care of this population group, an analysis was made of the needs  and preventive measures designed for the prevention and control of the disease caused by the SARS-Cov2  virus.

Aim. Analyze the situation of older adults facing the problem of the new coronavirus and compile the main general and specific prevention measures for the protection of this vulnerable group.

Methodology. A systematic review of indexed articles was carried out in PubMed, LATINDEX, Redalyc, Scielo,  Scopus, Dialnet and Google Scholar and in official national and international sources. The following keywords  were used for the search: COVID-19, SARS-Cov2, elderly, preventive measures, coronavirus, pandemic.

Results. From 9 articles consulted and from the aforementioned official sources, the main axes were analyzed in relation to the economic and labor situation, health, as well as the general risk factors for the population and specific for the elderly. The main risk factors found are advanced age, comorbidities present in this population group, dementing illnesses, as well as social factors such as age discrimination and  stereotypes regarding the dependency and frailty of older people. Prevention of COVID-19 in older adults should include psychosocial care in addition to specific containment and care.

Conclusions. Older adults make up the group with the greatest negative impact due to SARS-Cov2, COVID- 19, their vulnerability to this pandemic comes not only from their age, but also due to the economic, work  situation and diseases associated with their age, their loneliness gives them greater risk since you have to go  out to look for your food, if you do not support them the impact on your health will undoubtedly be negative.

 

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Published

2020-06-07