Policies for seniors during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Since the emergence of the coronavirus disease in December 2019, the older population has proven to be more vulnerable to the virus when compared to the younger populations. According to the World Health Organization Statistics in April, individuals aged sixty and above formed more than 95% of deaths as a result of the virus (WHO, 2020). The seniors are more prone to the disease, as most of them have chronic underlying illnesses. Also, the body’s immunity tends to weaken with age, which leaves the elderly highly exposed to the virus. For this reason, it is essential to come up with policies that specifically address the needs of the elderly during the pandemic.
The first policy that can be implemented to protect the elderly is setting up a special medical task force that specifically caters to the seniors and categorizing caregivers as essential workers who can move around and take care of the elderly. Generally, older adults suffer from up to five chronic illnesses that need close and consistent management (WHO, 2020). Setting up a medical task force for the elderly will ensure that most of them proceed with their treatments as required. Additionally, categorizing caregivers as essential workers will ensure that the elderly get help with exercises, medications, and the right information on the virus throughout the pandemic.
Secondly, the government can set up funding for the elderly that will cover their diet needs, a percentage of their medical needs, and for paying their caregivers. This policy is essential since most older adults depend on their children or younger relatives. However, a fair percentage of the younger population has been left with no source of income for their needs and that of the elderly due to the high rate of unemployment since the partial closure of the economy. In addition to the funding, the government and the health care sector can devise ways of encouraging people to run errands. This move is particularly important for older adults who live alone and do not have caregivers.
Addressing the needs of residents in long term care facilities should get considered in the policymaking process. The health care sector ought to come up with equipping the long term care facilities with the necessary technologies that will enable the residents to communicate with their loved ones. This is because the psychological well-being of the older adults is heavily reliant on meaning interactions with their family and friends (Rubin, 2020). Since the social distancing policy for the pandemic period does not allow for constant visitation, it is important for the facilities to fully exploit the benefits of technologies such as Skype to facilitate the much-needed communication or interaction between residents and their loved ones.
Conclusion
The older population has proven to be more exposed to the infection and fatality of the coronavirus disease since its emergence. This phenomenon, therefore, demands the making of policies that are specifically designed to cater to the needs of that section of the population and reduce the occurrence of more infections. These policies can be set by analyzing the most demanding needs of the elderly at the moment. The needs include medical care, supplies, and the well-being of long term care residents. Conclusively, the government and health care sector should then set up a medical task force, release funding, and exploit technology for the protection of the elderly.
References
Rubin, C. (2020). 6 Ways to Support Seniors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. UT Southwestern Medical Center. Retrieved from:
World Health Organization. Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak. WHO/Europe. Retrieved from: