January 10, 2023: It might seem like you’re back to a semblance of “normalcy” at this point in the COVID-19 pandemic. But many others remain at risk for serious consequences such as hospitalization and death, especially older Americans.
Legula Estiloz diagnosed with COVID-19 at age 104, for example. “She and I hit COVID at the same time, a few days after Christmas 2020,” says her son Tim Estiloz.
“I went to wake her up for breakfast and she just soaked, soaked, her bedding and nightgown,” Tim says.
Legula, a resident of The Willows, a network of qualified nurses in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, owned and operated through the Presthroughterian SeniorCare Network, sought remedy at nearby Magee Hospital. Both Legula and Tim tested positive for COVID-19. They had mild fever and fatigue. Legula lost his appetite for months. But none lost their sense of smell or taste or had breathing problems.
COVID-19 vaccines were not available at the time. ” It’s even more miraculous that she survived this age, and without even getting the advantages of the vaccine to survive,” he says.
Americans over the age of 65 die at disproportionately high rates from COVID-19. For example, other people ages 65 to 74 account for 22% of COVID-19 deaths, even though that age organization accounts for less than 10% of the U. S. population. The U. S. government, according to figures from the CDC. La picture, is bleaker for older adults ages 75 to 84, an organization that accounts for 26% of deaths but less than 5% of the population.
Older Americans, those 85 and older, account for 27 percent of deaths, but make up only 2 percent of the U. S. population. U. S.
Add to that the yet-to-be-seen influence of Omicron’s latest rising subvariant, XBB. 1. 5, and the future remains somewhat secure.
Legula, who survived COVID-19, then suffered a central seizure and was diagnosed with breast cancer, all before spring 2020.
His diagnosis is smart now, Tim says. I think for a while he’s doing better than me. He plays notes on the piano, likes to “dance” in his wheelchair, and catches a ball thrown 3 or four feet away “always. “
To sum up her experience with the pandemic, Legula “battled breast cancer, underwent radiation, fell once, had COVID, and had a central seizure,” Tim says. and in January 2021 he celebrated his 104th birthday.
“And now, God willing, in a few days he will be 106 years old. “
Purchase of bivalent reinforcements
One key to Legula’s recovery: She’s also up to date on her COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters.
Bivalent boosters, which target certain strains of Omicron and the original coronavirus, are 84% more effective at preventing older adults from being hospitalized, says David Gifford, MD, medical director of the American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living in Washington. CC.
A pre-printed study published Jan. 3 in The Lancet confirms this claim. Although not peer-reviewed, researchers studied another 622,701 people over the age of 65 and found that those who gained bivalent reinforcement were 81% less likely to be hospitalized and 86% less likely to die from COVID-19 than others who did not.
But just over one-third of Americans 65 and older, 38%, gained double reinforcement, compared with 15% of all Americans aged five and older, according to CDC data. There’s plenty of room for improvement, experts say.
“We have this constant tension among our members to increase acceptance of retirement among residents,” says Lisa Sanders, director of media relations for LeadingAge, a national nonprofit and senior provider agreement, which adds retirement homes, retirement apartments and affordable housing. the elderly.
One of the biggest misconceptions, he says, is “the concept that bivalent recovery is not necessary. “In addition, schooling and vaccinations remain vital “because there is a lot of misinformation. “
“The message has to be clear: You want to get bivalent retirement,” Sanders says, “especially now after the holidays and [when] new variants appear. “
COVID and collective life
Since older Americans are more vulnerable to the severe effects of COVID-19, one question is: What about the settings in which they live together, such as nursing homes, professional nursing homes, and other care facilities?At the beginning of the pandemic, these places faced greater contagion in demanding situations with the coronavirus.
“Long-term care professionals have known from day one that seniors with chronic illnesses are the ultimate for this virus. They have been on the side of an unspeakable tragedy for over 3 years,” says Gifford.
“Unfortunately, age discrimination has manifested itself in this pandemic, as evidenced by long-term care services that ask for resources from public fitness officials in vain at first,” he says.
So they are now?
On the plus side, defenses and preventative measures have come a long way since the pandemic began, Gifford says. “While older people remain the most vulnerable, we have the equipment for them in case of serious illness and hospitalization. First and foremost, seniors want to keep up with their COVID vaccines, which means upgrading the bivalent booster.
Florida at the forefront
The 3 U. S. states The U. S. with the maximum number of citizens over the age of 65 are California, Florida and Texas. As a percentage, more than one in five Floridians, or 21 percent, for example, belong to this age group, according to U. S. Census figures. UU. de 2021.
With one of the most vulnerable senior populations in the country, the Florida Health Care Association in Tallahassee continues to advertise the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine and boosters. Kristen Knapp, the association’s senior director of strategy and communications, says: “While Booster doesn’t prevent infections, we know it can help citizens have health problems or get hospitalised. “
COVID-19 vaccination is not a requirement for admission of citizens or staff employment. But Knapp says that, vaccinated or not, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 must adhere to infection protocols.
The feds get involved
On November 22, the White House announced a crusade to publicize recalls among seniors. The purpose is to succeed in seniors and other communities most impacted by COVID-19, make vaccination even more convenient, and raise awareness through paid means.
Initiative Includes New Medicare Centers Enforcement Rules
Soon after, LeadingAge partnered with the American Health Care Association to create an “All Hands on Deck” initiative to achieve the White House’s goals. One strategy is to involve hospitals more. That’s important, Sanders says, because about 90 percent of nursing home admissions involve other people transferred from a hospital.
Continuous monitoring
Future variants remain a threat, but vaccines are incredibly effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths, experts say.
“We continue to monitor and prepare for projected force surges, like this winter’s, and inspire everyone, adding our citizens and staff, to get their reinforcements,” Gifford says.
Sanders says there needs to be continued vigilance that this is a network problem. “There’s a human tendency to want to push him away and say, ‘Oh, that’s his problem. ‘
“Really, that’s our total problem, and if we all take steps to protect ourselves and others, we’ll be better as a society. “
SOURCES:
Stylish League.
Tim Stylish.
CDC: “COVID-19 Demographic Trends and Deaths in the United States Reported to CDC,” “COVID-19 Vaccines in the United States. “
David Gifford, MD, medical director, American Health Care Association/National Center for Assisted Living, Washington, DC.
The Lancet: “Efficacy of bivalent mRNA vaccine in preventing severe COVID-19 outcomes: an observational cohort study. “
Lisa Sanders, Director of Media Relations, LeadingAge.
U. S. Census Bureau: “QuickFacts. “
Kristen Knapp, senior director of strategy and communications, Florida Health Care Association.
White House: “Fact Sheet: The Biden Administration Announces Six-Week Campaign for More Americans to Get their COVID-19 Vaccine Updated Before the End of the Year. “
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