The Covid-19 pandemic has been a wake-up call for advocates for the elderly, who predicted that it would reveal the nation’s inadequate care for vulnerable older adults. The death toll from the pandemic has been shocking, with reports of chaos in nursing homes and seniors suffering from isolation, depression, untreated illness, and neglect. To date, around 900,000 older adults have died of Covid-19, accounting for 3 of every 4 Americans who have perished in the pandemic.
Despite the dire situation, the decisive actions that advocates had hoped for have not materialized. Many seniors at high risk are not receiving antiviral therapies for Covid, and most older adults in nursing homes are not getting updated vaccines. Efforts to strengthen care quality in nursing homes and assisted living centers have stalled amid debate over costs and the availability of staff. And despite a new wave of Covid, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus infections hospitalizing and killing seniors, only a small percentage of people are masking or taking other precautions in public.
In just the last three weeks of December 2023 and the first two weeks of January 2024, 4,810 people 65 and older lost their lives to Covid – a group that would fill more than 10 large airliners – according to data provided by the CDC. But the alarm that would usually accompany such a tragedy is notably absent. The pandemic has worsened the prejudice and hostility towards older adults, reinforcing images of them as sick, frail, and isolated.
This intense hostility has led to a heightened “us against them” mentality, where older people are viewed as less useful and more expendable. Many feel that society does not value older adults or those who care for them. The trauma and fear that arose during the pandemic has pushed society back in addressing the needs of the rapidly aging population, further stigmatizing aging. However, the National Academy of Medicine’s 2022 report emphasizes that older people are a “natural resource” who make substantial contributions to their families and communities.
As society continues to grapple with the ongoing effects of the pandemic, it is essential to integrate older adults into the community rather than keeping them apart. Changing society’s attitudes about aging is key to ensuring a better future for older generations. The impact of an aging population is something that society must address in the coming years, and finding ways to value and support older adults is crucial for the well-being of all people.
In conclusion, the pandemic has shed light on the inadequacies in caring for vulnerable older adults in the United States. It has revealed the deep-rooted ageism and the urgent need for society to rethink its approach to the aging population. As the world continues to recover from the pandemic’s impact, it is essential to recognize the valuable contributions of older adults and work towards a more inclusive and supportive society for people of all ages.