Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly changed the lives of many people. However, the main concern is the elderly population, which is most exposed to the risks of this kind of disease. This is due to the body’s low immunity and the severe consequences of the disease. Therefore, studying how the coronavirus has affected the elderly is valuable, as it can provide a holistic picture of the problem and find ways to solve it.
The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Elderly
The COVID-19 pandemic has had several serious effects on the health and well-being of elderly people. Research indicates that “adults over 65 years of age represent 80% of hospitalizations and have a 23-fold greater risk of death than those under 65” (Mueller et al. 1). Consequently, when infected with the coronavirus, elderly individuals had a greater risk of complications and serious consequences (Richardson et al. 903). For many, the latter has become incredibly impactful due to a decrease in overall immunity and quality of health.
In addition to the physical effects, COVID-19 also affected the psychological state of this population group and caused depression and anxiety. Van Jaarsveld pointed out that “its effects are magnified in the elderly population due largely to stricter lockdowns, the higher threat of illness, and loss of social support” (para. 5). The consequence of this circumstance was the deterioration of mental health and the need for professional psychological assistance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the coronavirus pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the world’s elderly population. First, this is because this disease significantly contributes to individuals’ physical health. It greatly reduces the body’s ability to resist diseases and can have critical complications and consequences. In addition to physical consequences, coronavirus can also have psychological consequences. Thus, it is noted that it caused an increased level of depressive disorders in the elderly due to social distancing and the inability to interact with other people.
Works Cited
Mueller, Amber L., Maeve S. McNamara, and David A. Sinclair. “Why does COVID-19 disproportionately affect older people?” Aging (Albany, NY), vol. 12, no. 10, 2020.
Richardson, Sarah J., et al. “Research with older people in a world with COVID-19: identification of current and future priorities, challenges and opportunities.” Age and aging, vol. 49, no. 6, 2020, pp. 901-906.
Van Jaarsveld, Gabrielle Ma. “The Effects of COVID-19 Among the Elderly Population: A Case for Closing the Digital Divide.” Frontier Psychiatry, vol. 11, 2020.