It’s time to give back and help seniors get their shots

America’s seniors have had a rough year. When the COVID-19 pandemic first began, we quickly learned that the risk for severe illness with COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at the highest risk. We also learned that older adults are at greater risk of requiring hospitalization or dying if they are diagnosed with COVID-19. Eight out of 10 COVID-19 deaths reported in the US have been adults age 65 and older since this pandemic began. And it’s not over yet.

Despite the vaccine’s arrival, there are still significant barriers looming. The most notable being that there’s not enough to go around yet. But COVID-19 death rates keep soaring, and new variants of the virus have many seniors on edge once again, right as they’d hoped to be out of the woods.

None of us imagined we’d still be in this position nearly one year later. The virus is mainly unchecked, and the only significant advance we’ve made is still a promise. It’s hope.

And until enough people can be vaccinated to curb the spread significantly, that’s all it will be for many seniors.

Stories are emerging daily about seniors waiting in lines for hours to be vaccinated, only to be turned away when supplies ran out. Many seniors don’t even know where to begin searching for information on the vaccine and how to get it should they want it and qualify to receive it.

Kathleen Cameron, senior director of the Center for Healthy Aging at the National Council on Aging, says that people should go directly to their local health departments to ask where to get vaccinated. However, she recognizes that puts a burden on seniors and their friends and families.

Many seniors are homebound. Those who live in long-term care facilities may have no control over when they receive the vaccine, but they’ve been given priority because they are among the highest-risk categories.

Seniors who live alone have been left to fend for themselves. Not all seniors are tech-savvy or even have internet access or a cell phone. They may not even know to call anyone, let alone who to call. So, their families are stepping up. Many adult children of senior parents have recognized this issue and interjected themselves to help. In essence, they’ve taken the reins.

Instead of waiting for their aging parents to come to them, they’re doing the research for them and approaching them with solutions. And that’s what it will take to beat this virus. We cannot just sit back and hope it ends. We must help each other.

It’s time to give back. Our seniors have been there for us, and now they need help. They may not even ask for it. But everyone can take a look around them and find someone in need and help them. Even something as simple as asking a senior if they have any questions could make a difference.

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Joseph Kertis is an experienced healthcare expert and writer.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/3rhBUlC