Abstract
The older persons in our society are a special group of people in need of additional measures of care and protection. They have medical, financial, emotional and social needs. The novel Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) only exacerbates those needs. COVID-19 is a new disease, and there is limited information regarding the disease. Based on currently available information, older persons and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions may be at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Family physicians provide care for individuals across their lifespan. Because geriatricians are internists or family physicians with post-residency training in geriatric medicine, they are major stakeholders in geriatric care. The authors are concerned about the absence of a COVID-19 response guideline/special advisory targeting the vulnerable population of older adults. The management and response to COVID-19 will be implemented in part based on the local context of available resources. Nigeria has been described as a resource-constrained nation. Infection prevention in older persons in Nigeria will far outweigh the possibilities of treatment given limited resources. The aim was to recommend actionable strategies to prevent COVID-19-related morbidity or mortality among older persons in Nigeria and to promote their overall well-being during and after the pandemic. These recommendations cut across the geriatric medicine domains of physical health, mental health, functioning ability and socio-environmental situation.
Highlights
The older persons have been defined by the United Nations as those who are 60 years and older.[1]
A serious combination of the risk factors that have been identified to portend a worse prognosis or manifestations of severe forms of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection is found in older persons
Additional consideration of the peculiarities of the older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic will be useful for healthcare workers in the management of this age group
Summary
The older persons have been defined by the United Nations as those who are 60 years and older.[1]. Respiratory symptoms may either be masked or exacerbated by cooccurring diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or congestive cardiac failure, which can further worsen outcomes.[8] Additional consideration of the peculiarities of the older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic will be useful for healthcare workers in the management of this age group.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: African journal of primary health care & family medicine
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.