A new issue of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy explores strategies for protecting and improving the lives of older people during the pandemic.
A special issue of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected older adults and their families, caregivers, and communities. The issue, entitled, “Older Adults and COVID-19: Implications for Aging Policy and Practice,” also proposes policies and strategies for protecting and improving the lives of older individuals during the pandemic, and identifies general lessons the pandemic can teach us about future aging policy and practice.
Edward Miller, a fellow at the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston, is the journal’s editor. LTSS Center Co-Directors Robyn Stone and Marc Cohen, and LTSS Center fellow Jane Tavares, contributed articles to the special issue.
The issue’s 27 articles focuses on 8 areas:
LTSS Delivery: Four articles focus on the delivery of long-term services and supports (LTSS) during the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home and community-based services settings.
Financing LTSS: Two articles focus on Medicaid financing of health care and LTSS during the COVID-19 pandemic, and explore why Medicaid is essential to the state pandemic response.
International Perspectives: Three articles examine LTSS-specific responses to COVID-19 in Canada, England, and Hong Kong.
Living in Community: Three articles examine the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for high-risk populations living in the community, including older adults with respiratory disorders, older adults with COVID-19, and older individuals residing in rural settings. One article, “Who are the Most At-Risk Older Adults in the COVID-19 Era? It’s Not Just Those in Nursing Homes,” was co-authored by Cohen and Tavares.
Families and Caregivers: Four articles explore family and caregiving issues related to direct care staff, family caregivers, intergenerational relationships, and bereavement. One article, “The Demographics and Economics of Direct Care Staff Highlight Their Vulnerabilities Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic,” was co-authored by Cohen, Stone, and Christian Weller of UMass Boston.
Local Response: Four articles focus on local responses to COVID-19, carried out through Area Agencies on Aging, municipal governments, age-friendly services and supports, and digital connectivity.
Older Workers and Retirees: Three articles examine COVID-related economic risks for older workers and retirees with respect to worker protections, economic security, and pensions.
Ageism: Three articles highlight the prevalence, adverse impacts, and strategies for mitigating the effects of ageism in the context of the pandemic.
A final article addresses the post-COVID-19 recovery, identifying challenges that need to be overcome and opportunities created in the midst of the crisis.