ABSTRACT
COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities in Canada. There are opportunities to learn from this crisis and to improve systems of care in order to ensure that older adults in LTC enjoy their right to the highest attainable standard of health. Measures are needed to ensure the mental health of older adults in LTC during COVID-19. The Canadian Academy of Geriatric Psychiatry (CAGP) and Canadian Coalition for Seniors' Mental Health (CCSMH) have developed the following position statements to address the mental health needs of older adults in LTC facilities, their family members, and LTC staff. We outlined eight key considerations related to mental health care in LTC during COVID-19 to optimize the mental health of this vulnerable population during the pandemic.
ABSTRACT
Many of society's systemic implicit biases against older persons predate COVID-19. A perfect storm of these biases now rages against older persons much more explicitly and visibly during the COVID-19 pandemic. They comprise of blends of discrimination based on age ("ageism"), multiplied by the prejudice against persons with mental symptoms (mentalism), and by notions against persons with disabilities (ableism). The collective result of this tragedy has caused a devastating impact on older persons' lives and flagrant violation of their human rights. We explore the evidence to better understand the drivers of these biases and ways to mitigate their impact. We also review strategies to alleviate the effects of ageism, mentalism, and ableism using a prevention model.
Subject(s)
Ageism , COVID-19 , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aging , Humans , Pandemics , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
The pandemic has put the spotlight on older people and on the topic of ageism. In early 2021, a call was made for input into the Thematic Report on Ageism and Discrimination to inform the United Nations Independent Expert on the Rights of Older Persons' forthcoming report to the 48th session of the Human Rights Council. The aim of this paper is to articulate the International Psychogeriatric Association (IPA) and the World Psychiatric Association Section of Old Age Psychiatry (WPA-SOAP) response to this call. This brief statement on ageism with a special focus on older people with mental health conditions is divided into three sections. We start by outlining the various manifestations of ageism in varied contexts and countries with a primary focus on the pandemic. Possible consequences of ageism with a focus on older people's mental health and well-being are outlined. We conclude by discussing ways to overcome ageism and reduce its occurrence, especially during times of extreme conditions.