COVID-19 aus Sicht der Geriatrie

Abstract

AbstractThe pandemic due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus challenges all of us in the many areas of life. Our health systems are tested for their sustainability and load capacity. SARS-CoV-2 virus-infections will become part of our lives, but they mainly threaten vulnerable and multimorbid older adults. Older people with a frailty-syndrome are challenged not only in physical, but also psychological and social domains. Adapted caring structures are required and the pandemic will introduce important ethical discussions. As examples, distribution of limited resources, requests for more Advance Care Planning as well as balancing between infection protection versus the drawbacks of long-lasting social isolation should be named. This article therefore focuses on ethical questions for older adults in times of the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic.