Geriatric rehabilitation during COVID-19: a lesson learned

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a new strain of coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection and is responsible for a deadly pandemic. The elderly population have a high risk to be infected by COVID-19 and tend to have worse outcomes compared to adult population. Elderly patients also have higher comorbidity than the whole population. Therefore, management of COVID-19 in the elderly needs special attention in terms of regarding drug doses, drug interactions, and side effects of the drugs given. Approach from Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) in elderly population known as Geriatric Rehabilitation is required for COVID-19 because PM&R will go through all phases of treatment during the acute, sub-acute, and long-term care phases. The targets are relieving symptoms, assisting in the mechanical ventilation weaning process, preventing decondition of the airway and other organ systems, and managing psychosocial aspects, especially in the vulnerable and high-risk elderly population. The geriatric rehabilitation approach to COVID-19 patients resulted in improved functional prognosis, optimized role of function, and improved Quality of Life.