Esra Ates Bulut
The COVID-19 pandemic has become a serious issue all over the world. Older people with systemic comorbidities appear to suffer from severe and refractory viral pneumonia. Additionally, older adults have atypical presentations, … a greater chance of being hospitalized, and misdiagnosed, notable patients with dementia. In the context of health care during the pandemic, it is essential to consider the challenges that multimorbidity, polypharmacy, age related changes such as immunosence make older adults more vulnerable. Decisions taken to prevent the spread of infection such as home isolation, leading to decline in daily physical activity, increases the risk of sarcopenia, multimorbidity, and mortality. Deconditioning during the pandemic leads to increased falls and fractures. The risk of falls and potential mortality is increased further if older adults become infected with COVID-19. Restrictions also cause social isolation, and lead to stress, anxiety and depression. Moreover, incidence of elder abuse; difficulties obtaining food, medication have been increased since the beginning of the pandemic. Therefore, health care providers and policymakers should organize pandemic protocols to improve care for all the community, especially the most vulnerable.
