Lessons from the Pandemic and Healthcare Service Delivery for the Senior Citizens

ABSTRACT

Background: The healthcare delivery system is an important indicator of the quality of life in a society. The advent of the Corona Virus pandemic led to an unfortunate and unforeseen disruption in the healthcare services Globally. The older persons were impacted on multiple counts including limitations in healthcare service availability, access and social marginalization. As we gain more insight into the full impact of the Pandemic on the health quality indicators and look to resume Medical service delivery in Postpandemic times, it’s important to ensure that the older population is not neglected. Discussions Small transitions in the delivery models but larger modifications in the mind-set may be needed to provide continued, effective and seamless healthcare services to the older Indian population. Planned interventions at each level of the system can ensure a smooth transition into the modified systems. Integration of modern telecommunication technology into the medical practice and extensive research in the area can make telemedicine a more accessible and acceptable option to the elderly patients with chronic ailments. The full extent of the impact of the Pandemic on healthcare will be revealed in the coming times requiring constant adaptation of each element of the system to cope with it.