#CareForSeniors Giveaway | How COVID-19 has Impacted Seniors
COVID-19 has impacted us all – but seniors have been particularly impacted by COVID-19 for a number of reasons. In our latest article, we look at the various ways COVID-19 has impacted seniors in Ontario and Canada, and what the future looks like.
The Virus
Unfortunately, seniors have been particularly susceptible to the ill-effects of COVID-19. As of March 15, 2021, in Ontario, there have been 319,374 cases of COVID-19 and 7,162 deaths.1 6,836 of these deaths have come from people over 60, a staggering 95.42%.2 When it comes to the 70+ age range we are looking at 6210 deaths out of the 7162, which is approximately 86%. It is quite clear that the older you are, the higher risk you are of suffering death from COVID-19.
This is not unique to Ontario. The trend continues across Canada, across North America and across the world as a whole. The CDC in the U.S., for example, reports that 8 out of 10 COVID-19 deaths reported have been 65 years of age and older.3
There are a number of reasons for the increased risk to seniors. For example, frailty in older adults can mean that the risk of various infections and a decreased immune response leads to susceptibility to COVID-19 increasing.4 Increased chance of hospitalization due to other health concerns and an increased likelihood of being cared for in a shared facility mean that they are not only more likely to die or suffer serious effects from COVID-19, but they are particularly vulnerable to catch it, too.5
Isolation and other impacts on seniors
The effect on seniors from COVID-19 also extends to their mental health. For example, social distancing, as important as it is when it comes to the fight against COVID-19, has and continues to cause high levels of loneliness in seniors.6 Although we have seen efforts to combat this, with increased use of technology, not all seniors are able to adapt to technology depending on their ability to learn and their age, and other factors.7 Here is an article with some tips to help with teaching technology to residents. Although technology definitely helps, be that keeping in contact via phone, facetime, video calls, or other distanced means, it is difficult to beat physical interactions when it comes to senior’s mental health. Group activities have long since been a staple of many care homes and senior homes, and unfortunately, have mostly had to stop.
Research has yet to be properly conducted on the effects of quarantine and isolation on senior’s fitness and overall health levels which could lead to other health problems and physical issues.
The future
The rollout of the vaccine is a critical juncture when it comes to light at the end of the tunnel for seniors when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are fortunate enough to have already received either their first or second doses of the various vaccine options that are available, and many more are high on the list. Rightly so, governments across the planet have sought to vaccinate their most vulnerable first, many being seniors. We long for a future where COVID-19 is a thing from the past.
How can we help? #CareForSeniors Giveaway
As a company on a mission to improve senior lives through our resident-centric solutions, we are always looking for ways to #CareForSeniors in our community. Tell us about a resident in a long-term care or retirement home in Canada and some of the activities they like, and we will curate a care package to send to them. Our goal is to send 5 care packages in April and to continue to find ways to #CareForSeniors until COVID-19 is over. Click here to nominate a Resident.
Interested in learning more about Continyou Care?
At Continyou Care, our solution can help your senior home or care home easier implement the myriad of changes that have come around since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, it enables you to conduct room service orders (hallway dining), connect residents with family members, and keep your residents informed through digital signage. To find out more, click here.
1 https://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/data-and-analysis/infectious-disease/covid-19-data-surveillance/covid-19-data-tool?tab=summary 2 https://covid-19.ontario.ca/data 3 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html 4 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.5320 5 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.5320 6 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.5320 7 https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/gps.5320