Abstract
The world is struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic: the most crucial global health calamity of the century, by closing international and national borders, quarantining suspected persons, testing and treating patients, and by complete or partial lockdown, etc. This pandemic and measures taken to fight it have struck heavily on millions, especially the vulnerable older adults who are staying alone, struggling for basic needs, managing without household help, and worrying about handling any medical emergencies. Keeping the lessons from past pandemics in the background about the highest risk of the elderly for both acute and long-term consequences including isolation, neglect, lack of autonomy, and risks of abuse and psychiatric disorders, etc., ensuring the holistic safety of seniors is of utmost importance. Senior care services in India are still at the beginning stage but it is urgent and imperative that we address the growing needs of elderly management during the pandemic time and post-pandemic times. To manage the elderly during COVID-19, we need to learn more about the problem and how it is affecting our seniors. Along with this, learnings from past pandemics may be very useful in planning the core strategies at all levels to mitigate the sufferings of the elderly due to this pandemic. New technologies and advances in the health care system are also emerging as an opportunity and strengthening the care services in times of pandemic as never before.
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Kumar Maheshwari, S. (2023). Trends in the Management of Aged Population During the COVID-19 Pandemic. In: Shankardass, M.K. (eds) Handbook on COVID-19 Pandemic and Older Persons. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-1467-8_4
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