The Role of a Geriatrician has Become Even More Important in an Academic Institution during COVID-19

Merchant, Reshma Aziz; Chen, Matthew; Ng, Siew Bee; Sandrasageran, Surein; Wong, Beatrix Ling Ling

doi:10.1007/s12603-020-1387-3

Cited by 13 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…In summary, SARS-CoV-2 is an emerging highly transmissible coronavirus that causes high mortality in the aging population (6,7,72,73). The aging population is heterogeneous but most have comorbidities.…”

Section: Conclusion and Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19, Virology and Geroscience: A Perspective

Vellas

Delobel

Barreto

et al. 2020

The Journal of nutrition, health and aging

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Until 2002, coronaviruses (HCoV-NL63, HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43 and HKU) were first known to cause common cold in humans. However, in 2002 the SARS-CoV emerged, and then in 2013 the MERS-CoV. The SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV caused severe respiratory syndrome and were highly pathogenic for humans, because of their ability to adapt to their host, notably to increase affinity for their receptor, leading to high infectivity in humans (1, 2). In December 2019, a new coronavirus, first called 2019-nCov and then SARS-CoV-2 for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, was identified in Wuhan, China (3). SARS-CoV-2 spreads very efficiently, causing the current COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) pandemic, that by mid-May 2020 has already killed more than 300,000 people all over the world. The highest morbi-mortality of COVID-19 is observed among older patients (4). Patients in intensive care unit (ICU) are older than patients not requiring ICU (5). In a study using an observational database from 169 hospitals in Asia, Europe, and North America, an age of more than 65 years-old was associated with a higher risk of in-hospital death: 10.0% mortality rates for people ≥ 65 years-old vs. 4.9% for those < 65 years-old (6). In France, 3.6% of infected individuals needed to be hospitalized, with an average death rate of 0.7% ranging from 0.001% in individuals < 20 years-old, to 10.1% in those > 80 years-old (7). Not all older adults appear to be equally vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection (8). Frailty is a clinical syndrome in older adults characterized by an increased vulnerability for adverse health outcomes and aging-associated functional declines (9). Frail older adults, especially those with comorbidities (eg, hypertension, obesity, diabetes) are at higher risk of death if they get infected than younger adults (10). Prevention interventions need to be developed to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in older people. Geroscience is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand the links of biological mechanisms of aging with biological mechanisms of disease and body functions (eg, mobility, cognition) to ultimately find potential interventions and promote health in older adults (11). In this perspective paper, we will describe SARS-CoV-2 properties; then we will focus in the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and aging, discussing the potential roles of comorbidities, inflammaging, immunosenescence, and immune escape. Finally, we will introduce Geroscience as a global approach to treat and prevent the onset and decrease the severity of diseases during aging, notably COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 properties Coronaviruses are members of the Coronaviridae family. They are divided into Alphacoronavirus and Betacoronavirus that can only infect mammals, and Gammacoronavirus and Deltacoronavirus which mostly infect birds (1). SARS-CoV-2 is a Betacoronavirus (subgroup B Sarbecovirus), enveloped, with a positive single-stranded large RNA that can infect animals and humans. As MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV, it may cause severe diseases and high fatality rate....

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Section: Conclusion and Perspectivementioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19, Virology and Geroscience: A Perspective

Vellas

Delobel

Barreto

et al. 2020

The Journal of nutrition, health and aging

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…3,4 Physical rehabilitation and dementia care centers have suspended operations temporarily. 5 The burden of caregiving, having fallen squarely on families of PWDs, invariably increases caregiver stress. 6 These center closures have also led to their physical and cognitive deconditioning.…”

Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Older adults receiving HH services after hospitalization are at the highest risk of unplanned healthcare utilization compared with other care transitions even during nonpandemic times. 4 Homebound older adults have increased unmet needs 5 and are at risk for complications related to social isolation, 6 challenges that are exacerbated by the pandemic. 7 Ambulatory care sites conducting telemedicine approaches may leave many older adults at risk for incomplete clinical evaluations.…”

Section: To the Editormentioning

confidence: 99%

What Have We Learned About Nursing From the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Resnick

2020

Journal of the American Medical Directors Association

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“…There are many uses of telehealth, such as screening for geriatric syndromes, monitoring, management, and psychosocial support. Telehealth has also been used to deliver physical exercise and social activities to encourage physical activity and reduce loneliness [ 3 , 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Acceptability of Digital Technology and Tele-Exercise in the Age of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Study

Ho¹,

Merchant²

2022

JMIR Aging

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Background With the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has been increasingly used to offset the negative outcomes of social isolation and functional decline in older adults. Crucial to the success of telehealth is end user adoption. Objective This study aims to investigate perception and acceptability of digital technology among Asian older adults. Methods The Healthy Ageing Promotion Program for You (HAPPY) dual-task exercise was conducted virtually to participants aged ≥60 years. Questionnaires were administered digitally and collected data on demographics, perceptions of digital technology and evaluation of HAPPY, the 6-item Lubben Social Network Scale, intrinsic capacity using the Integrated Care for Older People tool, and a functional screening with the FRAIL scale and five chair rises. Descriptive analysis was used. Results A total of 42 participants were digitally interviewed. The mean age was 69.1 (4.7) years. Hearing, vision, and 3-item recall difficulty were present in 14% (n=6), 12% (n=5), and 24% (n=10) of participants, respectively. Of the participants, 29% (n=12) had possible sarcopenia and 14% (n=6) were prefrail. Around 24% (n=10) were at risk of social isolation. Most of the participants (n=38, 91%) agreed that technology is good, and 79% (n=33) agreed that technology would allow them to be independent for longer. Over three-quarters of participants (n=33, 79%) agreed that they have the necessary knowledge, and 91% (n=38) had technological assistance available. However, 57% (n=24) were still apprehensive about using technology. Despite 71% (n=30) of older adults owning their devices, 36% (n=15) felt finances were limiting. Through digital HAPPY, 45% (n=19) of participants reported feeling stronger, 48% (n=20) had improved spirits, and 40% (n=17) and 38% (n=16) had improved mood and memory, respectively. Conclusions The majority of older adults in this study believed in digital technology and had the necessary knowledge and help, but almost half still felt apprehensive and had financial barriers to adopting technology. A digitally administered exercise program especially in a group setting is a feasible option to enhance intrinsic capacity in older adults. However, more work is needed in elucidating sources of apprehension and financial barriers to adopting technology.

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The Role of a Geriatrician has Become Even More Important in an Academic Institution during COVID-19

Cited by 13 publications

References 6 publications

COVID-19, Virology and Geroscience: A Perspective

COVID-19, Virology and Geroscience: A Perspective

What Have We Learned About Nursing From the Coronavirus Pandemic?

The Acceptability of Digital Technology and Tele-Exercise in the Age of COVID-19: Cross-sectional Study

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