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Older adults were the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Older adults were the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic
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Since the beginning of COVID-19, older adults have been the most affected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the disease, thus leaving high rates of hospitalization and death throughout the country.

In California, more than 22 percent of people are over the age of 65, and as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 70 percent of deaths have been in this age group, according to the state Department of Public Health. California.

"We want to remember that the biggest predictor, and the biggest risk factor, is simply age," said Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health, at a news conference organized by Ethnic Media Services in which experts met to discuss the opportunities that older adults in the state should have.

Experts point out that older adults and people with disabilities were the most affected by the pandemic 

The death rate of adults over 65 years of age from COVID-19 has been one of the highest since the start of the pandemic due to the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, however this age group has also been one one of the most difficult to convince to apply the vaccine against the virus.

Jessica Lehman, executive director of Senior and Disability Action, noted that older adults and people with disabilities feel excluded from society and even "disposable."

"Older people feel that they are not considered part of society, that they are ignored and that they are disposable," he said.

For her part, Anna Acton, deputy director of the Division of Community Access and Independent Living of the Department of Rehabilitation, pointed out that older adults and people with disabilities continue to be at high risk for the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Acton added that the pandemic exacerbated the social isolation of older adults and people with disabilities, while stating that there is a problem with the digital divide that made it difficult for these groups to receive certain services.

Likewise, Donna Benton, director of the Center for Support for Family Caregivers at the University of Southern California, said that during the pandemic family caregivers were not recognized as essential employees, even when they were frontline workers caring for adults. older people who were at risk or with the disease.

Similarly, he stressed the need to recognize their work and ensure that they have access to health services. 

California is one of the states that make the most efforts to protect older adults, and the California Master Plan for Aging ?MPA, for its acronym in English?, signed by Governor Gavin Newsom, seeks to protect older adults and people with disabilities, it also has four objectives, ranging from access to services and support, to economic security and protection.

Likewise, the plan seeks for the state's communities to be inclusive and respectful of older adults and people with disabilities.

“We focus on the contributions older adults make to our communities,” said Susan De Marois, director of the California Department of Aging.

"We must also ensure that those families and friends who are caring for them have access to vaccines and get paid COVID-19 leave from work during the time they are caring for someone," he concluded.

You may be interested in: Summit of the Century addresses challenges and opportunities for the older adult workforce

Peninsula 360 Press
Peninsula 360 Presshttps://peninsula360press.com
Study of cross-cultural digital communication

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