GERIATRIC HEALTH IN AN UNPRECEDENTED GLOBAL EMERGENCY AND STRATEGIES TO ALLEVIATE THE IMPACT OF COVID-19

Abstract

COVID-19 causes unimaginable fatality among the elderly people worldwide. Amid the crisis, elderly people need tangible and intangible support for them to deal with the dilemmas, anxiety, loneliness, and even suicidal tendencies. This article discusses on how the elderly has been affected by COVID-19 that created a worsening situation and exacerbated detrimental health outcomes among older people. It examines the impact of COVID-19 to geriatric health to which governments, health agencies, and scientific community need to address. Proposed strategies in this article may mitigate the health risks of the elderly due to a global health crisis. Older adults can use digital platforms and digital health technologies to build social relationships and mitigate their health care needs. Recommendations for research agenda on geriatric health are discussed particularly in the context of ageism amid the pandemic. The rights, dignity, and welfare of older adults need protection for they are susceptible to this coronavirus pandemic and to future virus outbreaks

Keywords

• covid-19
• ageism
• digital health
• health interventions
• health strategies