OLDER ADULTS IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ERA: A REVIEW OF THE HEALTH CHALLENGES AND PREVENTIVE MEASURES

The outbreak of COVID-19 is an era that changed the routine of everyone and also to a greater extent disproportionately affected the older adults. This pandemic era affected the older adults mentally and physically, thereby making them most vulnerable to the COVID- 19 disease. Most of the older adults during the pandemic era experienced discrimination, suffered anxiety, panic, adjustment disorder, depression chronic stress and insomnia. Some of these health problems were brought about due to the occurrence of immunosenescene that is age related remodeling of the immune system. Many older adults could no longer access the health care facilities due to lockdown order. The older adults suffered also from social isolation and loneliness caused by social distancing as a measure of controlling the spread of the disease. The measures taking to contain the virus were the major risk factors that have been linked with poor physical and mental health status, increased blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, diminished immune system functioning, depression, anxiety, poorer cognitive functioning, increased Alzheimer?s disease and mortality. So many recommendations were made by both World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on the need for older adults to get vaccinated, frequent washing of hands, adequate nutrition, maintaining their medication and keeping good communication link with families and friends as a way of managing the challenges and impact of COVID- 19 pandemic era.

Older, Adults, Covid-19, Health, Challenges, Preventive, Measures,

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