COVID-19 in the Geriatric Population

Abstract

The second pandemic of the 21st century, the <i>Coronavirus Disease – 2019</i>, has kept the entire world on its toes. The virus, <i>Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 </i>(SARS-CoV-2), seems to have an entire deck of tricks up its sleeve. The brash and acerbic disease course has left the entire world gasping. A sour understanding of the virus evolves, our knowledge base at this point is rather nascent. While the rate of infection is highest among the younger age groups, the <i>Case Fatality Rate </i>seems to be five to seven-fold higher in patients aged 65 years and above. With unforeseen restraints and stern preventive policies in place worldwide, the core principles of Geriatrics seem to have taken a backseat. <i>Social distancing </i>might’ve turned into <i>social suppression</i>, and the phenomena of <i>immunosenescence </i>and <i>frailty </i>leave our elderly population with an <i>oligosymptomatic </i>illness, which is, on many<i> </i>occasions, neglected on a personal, familial or even healthcare level, thus, erring on the gravity of the illness. Patients and medical personnel in <i>hospice </i>facilities and <i>long-term care facilities </i>(LTCFs) face unique and unprecedented challenges. With atypical presentations, multimorbidities, and multiple psychosocial facets, the <i>Coronavirus Disease-2019 </i>presents a rather interesting challenge in the care and management of older adults.