Lise Dassieu1, Nadia Sourial2,3. 1. Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 850 St Denis Street, Saint Antoine Tower, Office S01.135, H2X 0A9, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. lise.dassieu@umontreal.ca. 2. Research Center of the Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, 850 St Denis Street, Saint Antoine Tower, Office S01.135, H2X 0A9, Montréal, Quebec, Canada. 3. Department of Family and Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Quebec, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Social isolation among older adults raises major issues for equity in healthcare in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. MAIN TEXT: This commentary describes current challenges in preventing social isolation among older adults and proposes pathways to develop inclusive approaches to intervention in this vulnerable population. Building interventions that take account of structural inequities among older persons, as well as their subjective experiences, expectations and perspectives, appears fundamental to improve their health and quality of life in pandemic and post-pandemic contexts. CONCLUSIONS: We argue that equity-based and person-centered approaches are critical to counter the negative outcomes of social isolation in the vulnerable older population.
BACKGROUND: Social isolation among older adults raises major issues for equity in healthcare in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. MAIN TEXT: This commentary describes current challenges in preventing social isolation among older adults and proposes pathways to develop inclusive approaches to intervention in this vulnerable population. Building interventions that take account of structural inequities among older persons, as well as their subjective experiences, expectations and perspectives, appears fundamental to improve their health and quality of life in pandemic and post-pandemic contexts. CONCLUSIONS: We argue that equity-based and person-centered approaches are critical to counter the negative outcomes of social isolation in the vulnerable older population.
Entities:
Keywords:
COVID-19; Equity; Older persons; Person-centered care; Social isolation
Authors: Ziggi Ivan Santini; Paul E Jose; Erin York Cornwell; Ai Koyanagi; Line Nielsen; Carsten Hinrichsen; Charlotte Meilstrup; Katrine R Madsen; Vibeke Koushede Journal: Lancet Public Health Date: 2020-01
Authors: Emma E Office; Marissa S Rodenstein; Tazim S Merchant; Tricia Rae Pendergrast; Lee A Lindquist Journal: J Am Med Dir Assoc Date: 2020-06-05 Impact factor: 4.669