Ageism and COVID-19: what does our society’s response say about us?

Abstract

The goal of this commentary is to highlight the ageism that has emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 20 international researchers in the field of ageing have contributed to this document. This commentary discusses how older people are misrepresented and undervalued in the current public discourse surrounding the pandemic. It points to issues in documenting the deaths of older adults, the lack of preparation for such a crisis in long-term care homes, how some ‘protective’ policies can be considered patronising and how the initial perception of the public was that the virus was really an older adult problem. This commentary also calls attention to important intergenerational solidarity that has occurred during this crisis to ensure support and social-inclusion of older adults, even at a distance. Our hope is that with this commentary we can contribute to the discourse on older adults during this pandemic and diminish the ageist attitudes that have circulated.

Mental and social health in the German old age population largely unaltered during COVID-19 lockdown: results of a representative survey

“…[37] surveyed a convenience sample of older German individuals with cognitive impairment, finding a limited impact of the pandemic on psychological variables including depression, anxiety and loneliness in the short-term. These results, in line with ours, refute the public perception of the "weak and vulnerable elderly", which has sparked debates and a new rise in ageism over the course of the pandemic [9,10]. However, these results mostly stem from high-income countries.…”

“…through the trending social media hashtag "#BoomerRemover", which suggested the death of older individuals would not be as important as the loss of younger life [9]. Such ageist stereotypes can accentuate the exclusion of, and prejudice against, older adults, which in turn may complicate dealing with the COVID-19 crisis for older people [10]. The well-being of older individuals during COVID-19 lockdown has sparked much debate; however, there is a paucity of reliable data providing evidence for the many controversial claims.…”

Covid-19 and Priorities for Research in Aging

“…3 This is crucial for decisions about the care and provision of medical resources to the frail elderly who have contracted Covid-19 (Hubbard et al, 2020). Ageisma discriminatory attitude toward people of advanced agemay have contributed to detrimental effects on the health and longevity of older adults with Covid-19 (Fraser et al, 2020). • Investigations to address the primary and secondary impact of coronavirus on body systems and co-morbidities.…”

Retraumatized: COVID-19, the Specter of HIV/AIDS, and Reorienting Responsibility

“…The missteps of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) diminished our country's readiness to address this unseen onslaught. Initial characterizations of the coronavirus as only lethal for old people contributed to sluggish reactions among governments and a false sense of security for those not old (Fraser et al, 2020). Religious leaders suggest that those who become infected are less than morally worthy (Merritt, 2020).…”