Abstract
The COVID -19 outbreak has ushered in a new normal for the entire population. The aged, as well as persons with particular needs or underlying conditions, are the most vulnerable. COVID-19 is connected with an increased risk of more serious and perhaps deadly illness in older adults, according to health authorities and governments around the world. It is critical to recognize that throughout the period ravaged by the pandemic, older individuals require basic supplies, physical health, social care, financial aid, and other forms of assistance to maintain and improve their quality of life. This essay examines various research materials to ascertain what COVID 19 is, how it is spread, the various measures to prevent its spread among the elderly, and how the elderly people can be supported during the pandemic. The research essay attempts to review the data relating to COVID-19, how it is spread, and the means to contain its spread among the elderly. The findings of the research reveal the COVID-19 virus is passed from one individual to another via contacts and respiratory droplets. The virus can be prevented from spreading among the elderly by embracing technology, getting vaccinated, and wearing face masks. The elderly can be supported through caregiving that limits in-person visits, and dissemination of accurate information to them on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Introduction
The latest hazard to world health is the current insurgence of the respiratory disease COVID-19, which was given the designation Coronavirus Disease 2019, and is the most current threat to global health. It was rapidly established to be caused by a novel coronavirus with a close structural resemblance with the virus that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). The outbreak of Covid-19, like the two other coronavirus outbreaks and the Middle East respiratory syndrome, has caused significant challenges to the global public health, research as well as the entire medical fraternity (Fauci, Lane, & Redfield, 2020). After the discovery of the unique virus in the city of Wuhan, China, efforts to control it there failed, prompting it to spread to various parts of the world. The spread of the virus rapidly across the globe prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern on 30th January 2020 and a declaration of Pandemic on 11th March the same year. By January 20th, 2022, the pandemic had caused over 337 million illnesses and 5.56 million deaths, rendering it among the deadliest in humankind’s history.
Fever, dry cough, and lethargy are the most prevalent symptoms, which can vary from undetectable to fatal. Elderly people or those with specific underlying medical issues are more likely to experience serious sickness. COVID19 is transmitted through the air when virus-carrying droplets and minute airborne particles are ingested. Inhaling the particles is most dangerous especially if individuals are close together, although, the particles can also be inhaled over some distances, especially indoors. The disease can also be transmitted by contaminated fluids if they come into contact with the eyes, nose, or mouth, and in some instances, contaminated surfaces. Infected people are contagious for 10 days on average, and they can spread the virus even if they don’t show any symptoms. Many strains with varying degrees of infectivity and pathogenicity have resulted from mutations.
Many efforts have been made to mitigate the spread of the virus especially to the most vulnerable groups including the elderly. Vaccines have been developed, approved, and distributed in various countries since December 2020. Preventive measures including keeping social distancing, wearing masks, and improving ventilation have also been effective in preventing the spread of the virus. The elderly groups are supported through caregiving that limits in-person visits, and dissemination of accurate information to them on how to live healthy lifestyles.
Literature Review
Mueller, A. L., McNamara, M. S., & Sinclair, D. A. (2020). Why does COVID-19 disproportionately affect older people?. Aging (Albany NY), 12(10), 9959.
The rising studies relating to the Coronavirus pandemic and the elderly populations give insight into the reasons why COVID-19 disproportionately affects older people but fail to provide effective measures to prevent the elderly from the spread of the virus. Mueller, McNamara, & Sinclair (2020), in their study, try to explain why COVID-19 is a benign sickness in some people but a life-threatening sickness in others by analyzing the molecular distinctions between young, middle-aged, and older people. They also considered a few biological age clocks that may be used together with genetic tests to figure out both the disease’s processes and the people who are most at risk. Finally, based on these pathways, they mulled some medicines that could improve the survival of older people by reinventing the ability of patients to clear infections and efficiently modulate immune responses, rather than just blocking the virus.
The coronavirus shackles ACE2 enzymes on the epithelial cells in the upper respiratory tract, where it is endocytosed and duplicated, causing the immune system to go into overdrive (Mueller, McNamara, & Sinclair 2020). Viruses then migrate to the alveoli and infect type 2 pneumocytes, which are identified by alveolar macrophages (AMs) or dendritic cells, which release cytokines and deliver antigens to T cells and other adaptive immunity cells in the youthful system. T cells with the right receptors stimulate other lymphocytes or kill infected cells directly, preventing the virus from spreading. Neutrophils travel to infection locations to eliminate infected cell debris. Viral alarm signals are initially delayed in the old system, resulting in more viral multiplication. In the case of aging people, the immune system undergoes two key alterations. One is immunosenescence, a slow loss of immunological function that impairs pathogen identification, alert signaling, and clearance. This should not be confused with cellular senescence, an aging-related condition in which old or defective cells stop reproducing and become epigenetically locked into a pro-inflammatory state, secreting cytokines and chemokines. Another common immune system change as people age is inflammaging, a chronic increase in systemic inflammation caused by an overactive but inadequate alarm system.
The study is significant as it introduces the aspect of designing vaccines bearing in mind that elderly people may not respond as well compared to younger people. In addition, the study suggests health consequences of COVID-19 infection in older people in the long-term, such as fibrosis and scarring of the lungs, micro-ischemic events, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, and neuropsychological disability, will require studies to understand the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 pathologies, such as fibrosis and scarring of the lungs, micro-ischemic events, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, and neuropsychological disability. These could lower viral resistance and length of life in older and middle-aged persons recovering from severe COVID-19 infections. The study, therefore, brings to the fore vaccination as a way to prevent the elderly population from the spread of COVID-19.
Van Jaarsveld, G. M. (2020). The effects of COVID-19 among the elderly population: a case for closing the digital divide. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11.
Despite a growing number of studies on the Coronavirus pandemic and the older population, no report has objectively reported the most effective measures to support the elderly from the spread of Coronavirus. Van Jaarsveld (2020), examined the effects of COVID-19 among the elderly population. He noted that during the initial half of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic had impacted the lives of most people in a significant proportion. Most people had been subjected to isolation as a result of massive lockdown and preventative measures, that have negatively impacted the world economy and crippled access to both physical and mental treatment. Many people especially the elderly have been subjected to health risks due to increased anxiety and depression caused by increased lockdowns and the loss of social support. Van Jaarsveld further acknowledges that earlier studies have also established that the elderly population experiences some relatively high depressive symptom rates even in the absence of crisis. This raises concerns given evidence that those with underlying mental health problems have been disproportionately affected by the adverse psychological consequences brought about by the lockdowns.
As the coronavirus pandemic cases continue to be recorded, unexpected negative effects have begun to emerge. The world has been forced to adapt to the changes as prolonged lockdowns disrupt the daily lives of billions of people. Most of the challenges faced at the time of the pandemic have been eased due to the transition to a reliance on technology, and many individuals have continued to interact, learn, work, and receive healthcare using technological forms. The elderly population, on the other end, who have historically faced monumental disparities in access to and capacity to use technology, have failed to enjoy the same benefits as the younger populations. Van Jaarsveld (2020), suggests that there is an apparent need for an immediate and lasting solution to reduce the dire consequences of the digital gap during this pandemic, as well as to move to close the divide in the long run. Government action to enhance access to technology and create digital literacy initiatives for the elderly is crucial, especially as the world shifts to a more digital future. While immediate steps may not rapidly protect the elderly from the pandemic’s negative impacts, they can help reduce them and ensure that this issue receives the attention and resources it requires in the future to finally close the age-based digital divide. This may not be effective in the short run. The study is however significant as it shows how technology can help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and support the elderly population through the dissemination of health-related information.
Methodology
The present research status of COVID-19 at home and overseas was analyzed based on a literature review. To ascertain the trends of COVID-19 on the elderly population and the various ways to contain the transmission of the virus among them. In this study, there was a careful consideration of the need for comprehensiveness and high-quality literature resources, and a choice of key articles, Science’s core collection, as well as academic journals from across the globe with advanced retrieval. A total of 20 pieces of literature were obtained and eliminated, with 5 of them being compared and analyzed for purposes of the study. The paper retrieved articles and Journals from both national and international sources with a total of 20 materials ranging from 2019 to 2022 were retrieved. After removing the extraneous sample literature, the remaining 5 articles were selected as the final analysis objects. The study focused on the COVID-19 pandemic and the elderly population. The study aimed to focus on various ways to prevent the elderly from the spread of the virus. Limited studies have been conducted in this area. The keywords of the literature of sample extraction, which can effectively identify the theme used in the retrieval process, can reflect the study object of the article, research techniques, and so on. The keywords include the spread of COVID-19 among the elderly and COVID-19 among the elderly.
Discussion
The response to the COVID-19 pandemic globally has been remarkable. The pace of national and international activities is now picking up. The stakeholders involved in the containment efforts can draw on the increasingly growing body of research, much of which is summarized in regularly updated guidelines published by authorities nationally and internationally. These guidelines cover the most up-to-date information regarding many aspects of the virus ranging from its transmission modes to the vulnerability of various groups within the population. While many elements of this new pandemic are still unknown, one thing is certain. Death risks associated with infection of covid-19 grow as the age advances, with most deaths occurring in persons over 60, particularly those with underlying illnesses such as cardiovascular disease. This has significant implications for the development of public health and clinical interventions. Despite this, little has been done on this problem, not only in high-income countries, but also in low- and middle-income nations, which account for 69 percent of the worldwide population over the age of 60, with weaker health systems, and where covid-19 may have the biggest impact.
Mueller, McNamara, & Sinclair (2020), in their study, explain why COVID-19 is a benign sickness in some people but a life-threatening sickness in others. This finding is consistent with the study by Neumann-Podczaska et al., (2020). Their research found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus distinguishes between a variety of populations depending on a variety of characteristics, with age being one of them. Having learned that the virus severely impacts the elderly, a growing number of very old individuals receiving care in nursing homes or similar institutions causes worry. These facilities frequently provide substandard care and treatment. In addition, institutions where people live in close quarters, such as jails and mines, can serve as infection incubators. Nursing homes have sometimes also been linked to the spread of the virus in developed countries, and it may not be surprising if the hazard was considerably greater in developing countries. Residents in these facilities rely heavily on their staff, and a severe pandemic would have serious consequences for the welfare and, potentially, survival of those who live there. The situation for older persons living at home, where circumstances are cramped and congested may be much riskier. This, therefore, causes concerns for the healthcare workers and all the stakeholders to develop the most effective way to prevent the vulnerable especially the elderly from the spread of the novel Coronavirus.
The vulnerability of the elder population presents another pertinent issue in healthcare. The health systems’ ability to deal with increases in demand presents poses challenges, particularly for the people who require respiratory support, of whom a majority number is older. During normal times, health systems may face severe capacity constraints and are not likely capable to provide the care required, particularly if precarious staffing levels face depletion by migration, low salaries, and poor working conditions. According to Mueller, McNamara, & Sinclair (2020), when people grow older the immune system goes through a gradual decline in immune function which makes the detection of the pathogen, gradual warning signals, and clearance difficult. It is, therefore, necessary to lower the risks of exposing the elderly to the virus by limiting unnecessary contact with them. However, there should be utmost caution to avoid the negative impact of social isolation on their immunity and mental health.
Van Jaarsveld (2020), examined the effects of COVID-19 among the elderly population. He brought about the aspect of technology and the gaps that exist between the elderly. He argued that the elderly, who have historically experienced significant disparities in access to and capacity to use technology, have not reaped the same benefits as many other younger populations. Van Jaarsveld (2020) suggests that there is a clear need for an immediate and lasting solution to mitigate the negative consequences of the digital gap during the pandemic, as well as to move to close the gap in the long run. This suggestion is consistent with the findings of Conroy et al., (2020). Despite the need to remain physically apart, the study found that technological advancements have created amazing opportunities to provide care and establish connections. These techniques can be used in crisis communications, public health interventions, and care programs to fight loneliness among the elderly. However, it must be done strategically, taking into account the type of loneliness present, as well as environmental factors, socioeconomic status, and technological literacy.
Technological improvements can be an effective tool for tackling well-known public health issues like loneliness affecting the elderly. However, the application of this technique should be guided by the circumstances at hand, considering the needs of individuals as well as environmental considerations, particularly the compounded impacts of the coronavirus pandemic. For different types of loneliness, different technological programs and treatments are appropriate. For example, online therapy, such as internet-based cognitive behavior therapy, can help to alleviate loneliness brought on by fear, while online interaction, such as videoconferencing, can help to alleviate loneliness brought on by a lack of social interaction. Technology also serves as an aid to social distancing which is a preventive measure to control the spread of the virus. However, this can only be effective by applying the regular washing of hands and sanitization to discourage the virus from spreading through the handling of the communication devices.
Technology may not, however, be enough to support and prevent older people from the spread of COVID-19. It is everyone’s responsibility to help the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. All the stakeholders in healthcare should provide support in the delivery of interventions to ensure that the older people get what they need. Such forms of support include increasing access to nutritious foods, provision of basic supplies, and medications to support their physical health. Other support services include the provision of social care and disseminating accurate information to the elderly because such information is critical in ensuring that they remain physically and mentally healthy during the pandemic. They will be aware of what they need to do when they fall ill.
Maintenance of healthy lifestyles while in isolation or quarantine is critical for the elderly. This is because older people always depend on support from the communities and caregivers in their daily lives and routines. Maintenance of mental health during times of anxiety should be the uppermost idea in the minds of healthcare givers. Healthcare workers, nurses, and social workers play a significant role in the provision of long-term care to older people. Initially, before the pandemic, they played a crucial role at the community level or in the various nursing home facilities. During the pandemic, they faced one of the most challenging times that stretched their services. Nurses should remain informed about COVID-19 by acquiring current and up-to-date information as they work through extraordinary times. Nurses who work with infectious and contagious diseases ought to realize that continuous education can save their lives and the lives of their patients. Nurses who work in acute care facilities and other healthcare settings where they may be exposed to patients suffering from contagious diseases and require face masks during treatment should be equipped with the N-95 masks and instructed in the correct use. The challenging times serve as a painful reminder to the authorities to always provide the necessary training and the necessary equipment to handle such contagious diseases.
Vaccination of the elderly should also be prioritized to protect them against the deadly pandemic. Through vaccination, the elderly people who are also recognized as high-risk groups can be protected from death and hospitalization associated with the virus. Nurses and healthcare providers have a responsibility to prioritize the elderly populations concerning vaccinations and provide the right information to them. The 73rd World Health Assembly passed a resolution in May 2020 recognizing the need for massive immunization as a public health priority globally for preventing, controlling, and terminating the transmission of the coronavirus (Machingaidze, & Wiysonge, 2021). The World Health Organization further emphasizes the need to prioritize the elderly from the time they started the vaccination drive. Although many countries across the globe are progressing towards a tremendous coverage of the elderly, there is still a lot to be done to increase the efforts of coverage.
As the global efforts to increase access to vaccination are accelerated, there should be further efforts to address the issues that impact the access to these vaccines by the elderly. Although many pieces of research are being conducted for the unknowns in the pandemic, one notable issue raised by Mueller, McNamara, & Sinclair (2020), is the variation with which the older people respond to the vaccines as compared to the young population. In addition, further studies are required to understand the long-term health consequences of COVID-19 pathologies, such as fibrosis and scarring of the lungs, micro-ischemic events, cardiopulmonary dysfunction, and neuropsychological disability among the elderly populations. Stakeholders in healthcare should also further their studies on the aging immune systems. This is because there are many processes and elements of an aging individual or groups of individuals that work together to weaken immunity. Nonetheless, the development of coronavirus vaccines has proved effective in reducing the death rates and hospitalization of vulnerable groups.
Conclusion
As the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to manifest itself, unforeseen adverse effects have started to emerge. The globe has had to adapt to the changes in the way of living as global lockdowns disrupt the day-to-day lives of millions of people. While most challenges encountered during the pandemic have been mitigated as a result of the transition to a reliance on digital tools, and many people have continued to interact, learn, work, and receive healthcare using digital means, there is still a challenge in the provision of care to the elderly in the society. As discussed above, technology is not enough to provide care for the elderly. In the same way vaccination drive has not been fully accelerated to provide the desired coverage. On their part, the healthcare workers, nurses, and social workers have played a crucial role in the provision of care to the affected people including the vulnerable. Initially, at the onset of the pandemic, they played a crucial role at the community level or at various nursing home facilities, where they faced numerous challenges. Some Nurses working at the infectious and contagious diseases were exposed to the virus infecting them. Unfortunately, some succumbed to the adverse effects of the virus, which necessitates preparation for the unforeseen future.
Nurses face a future challenge to always remain informed about infectious diseases by acquiring current and up-to-date information as they work through the present challenge. Nurses who work with infectious and contagious diseases ought to realize that continuous education can save their lives and the lives of their loved ones. They should also actively research many aspects of the elderly population regarding the aspects of their immunity. This may aid in the provision of knowledge on the unknown. Nurses further have a challenge of disseminating knowledge to the elderly concerning ways of living healthy physically and mentally. This may help mitigate the spread of the present coronavirus or any future infectious virus. Finally, nurses have a challenge in the future to guide the elderly and vulnerable populations on sanitization and caregiving services. All these services reduce the spread of infectious diseases among the elderly populations coupled with the corresponding problems.
References
Conroy, K. M., Krishnan, S., Mittelstaedt, S., & Patel, S. S. (2020). Technological advancements to address elderly loneliness: Practical considerations and community resilience implications for COVID-19 pandemic. Working with Older People.
Fauci, A. S., Lane, H. C., & Redfield, R. R. (2020). Covid-19—navigating the uncharted. New England Journal of Medicine, 382(13), 1268-1269.
Machingaidze, S., & Wiysonge, C. S. (2021). Understanding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Nature Medicine, 27(8), 1338-1339.
Mueller, A. L., McNamara, M. S., & Sinclair, D. A. (2020). Why does COVID-19 disproportionately affect older people?. Aging (Albany NY), 12(10), 9959.
Neumann-Podczaska, A., Chojnicki, M., Karbowski, L. M., Al-Saad, S. R., Hashmi, A. A., Chudek, J., … & Wieczorowska-Tobis, K. (2020). Clinical Characteristics and Survival Analysis in a Small Sample of Older COVID-19 Patients with Defined 60-Day Outcome. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(22), 8362.
Van Jaarsveld, G. M. (2020). The effects of COVID-19 among the elderly population: a case for closing the digital divide. Frontiers in psychiatry, 11.
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