Covid-19 prognosis among the elderly is poor! In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, special attention has to be paid to infection prevention measures among the elderly population. Here is how health facilities can adequately prepare to provide safe spaces and management for the elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic in Uganda.
This document was created in response to a specific question from a policy maker in Uganda in 2019. It was prepared by the Center for Rapid Evidence Synthesis (ACRES), at the Uganda country node of the Regional East African Community Health (REACH) Policy Initiative
Short Summary
Background:
Elderly population accounts for a big percentage of severe Covid-19 cases and deaths worldwide. Despite Uganda reporting 44 cases as of 1st April 2020 with no fatality, MoH is planning for the worst-case scenario, where cases increase in numbers and the senior citizens in the country get infected.
Question:
How can facilities adequately prepare for the elderly during Covid-19 pandemic in LMICs?
Findings:
There are several measures that MoH and facilities can deploy to adequately prepare for the elderly during the Covid-19 pandemic;
Conclusion:
In preparation for the elderly during Covid-19 pandemic, attention has to be paid to infection prevention measures and adequate equipment of healthcare workers with knowledge and skills to identify symptoms of Covid-19 among the elderly coupled with appropriate response. Plans for palliative care have to be instituted for the elderly as disease prognosis is poor in this age group.
