For Seniors, COVID-19 Sets Off Pandemic of Despair

For Seniors, COVID-19 Sets Off Pandemic of Despair
Older adults are facing a sense of severe isolation as pandemic social isolation restrictions lift for others, but not for them. De Visu/Shutterstock
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Even as states relax COVID-19 restrictions, in most cases, older adults are advised to keep sheltering in place. But for some, the burden of isolation and uncertainty is becoming hard to bear.

This “stay at home awhile longer” advice recognizes that older adults are more likely to become critically ill and die if infected with the virus. At highest risk are seniors with underlying medical conditions such as heart, lung, or autoimmune diseases.

Judith Graham
Judith Graham
Author
Judith Graham is a contributing columnist for Kaiser Health News, which originally published this article. KHN’s coverage of these topics is supported by The John A. Hartford Foundation, Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, and The SCAN Foundation.
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