On 1 May, the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, launched the UN Policy Brief on the impact of COVID-19 on older persons. The goal of this policy brief is to provide analyses and recommendations that address the particular challenges facing older persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges include (among others), the higher COVID-19 fatality rate for older people, the risk of age discrimination in decisions on medical care, vulnerabilities due to living in long-term care facilities, and the disproportionate impact of physical distancing rules on older people who are socially isolated.
In the first part of its Policy Brief, the UN identifies 4 key priorities for action. Firstly, the response to COVID-19 must respect the rights and dignity of older people, in particular the right to health. Secondly, the UN calls for improved social support and community solidarity during physical distancing, and increasing the access of older persons to digital technologies. Thirdly, the specific needs of older people must be taken into account in all socio-economic and humanitarian responses to COVID-19, particularly in developing countries and those in humanitarian crises. Fourthly, the UN calls on society to tackle the problem of ageism and stigma against older persons head-on, ensuring that their societal contribution, past and present, is valued and that their voices are heard.
The second part of the UN Policy Brief provides more in-depth analysis and specific recommendations on the four priorities for action, with dedicated sections on 1) the impact on health, rights and long-term care services for older persons; 2) the effects of physical distancing and stigma; 3) Integrating a focus on older persons in the overall socio-economic and humanitarian responses to COVID-19; and 4) Harnessing knowledge and data, sharing good practice and expanding participation by older people. The Policy Brief summary underlines the importance of addressing the disproportionate threat that COVID-19 poses to the health, lives, rights and wellbeing of older persons. Only in this way can truly inclusive, sustainable and age-friendly societies be rebuilt.
The UN Policy Brief can be found here:https://www.un.org/sites/un2.un.org/files/un_policy_brief_on_covid-19_and_older_persons_1_may_2020.pdf
