Seniors Delayed Care

Fear of COVID delayed many seniors from getting medical care. (Read about "Coronaviruses") COVID-19 interrupted or delayed medical treatment for seniors who chose to put off elective procedures or couldn't get in to see a specialist.

A new study found many homebound older adults canceled medically necessary home-based health care services out of fear of getting COVID-19. This caused new or worsening medical conditions for a number of patients, and home-based health care providers reported feeling that they lacked sufficient information and training to advise patients through the process of deciding whether or not to continue care.

"One home health care agency representative said their agency's patient load decreased by 38 percent as a result of patients canceling services," said study first author Jennifer Inloes. "It really highlighted the level of fear among patients receiving home-based health care services at the early part of the pandemic."

It's unknown if more older adults avoided infection by isolating than were harmed by negative health outcomes of refusing care - and the answer to that question isn't black and white, Inloes said. In addition to new or worsening conditions, previous research has found that pandemic-induced isolation also negatively affected older adults, which is an important consideration.

COVID-19 can cause a range of issues, from mild symptoms to severe illness and death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say symptoms can appear days after exposure and include:

• fever
• cough
• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• chills
• repeated shaking with chills
• muscle pain
• headache
• sore throat
• new loss of taste or smell
• congestion or runny nose
• nausea or vomiting
• diarrhea

This list does not include all possible symptoms. CDC says it will continue to update this list as it learns more about COVID-19.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.

Trouble breathing and /or persistent pain or pressure in the chest indicate an emergency situation and you should seek help. If you or someone around you develops new confusion or inability to arouse that too is a reason to seek care. Bluish lips or face can indicate a low oxygen level and should also be treated as an emergency.

As with other diseases caused by coronaviruses, COVID-19 is believed to spread from person to person through droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

CDC says it is important that people take steps to protect themselves, including:

• Clean your hands often. You should wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. This is especially important is you have been out in public or if you have just sneezed or coughed. If you don't have access to soap and water, hand sanitizers containing at least 60 percent alcohol can be used. Rub hands with the sanitizer until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community. This is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
• Used correctly, masks can reduce the inhalation of virus-laden droplets, which can protect the person wearing the mask. Masks can also reduce the emission of virus-laden droplets, which is important so that asymptomatic people do not infect others.
• As soon as you can, CDC says you should get a COVID-19 vaccine. All of the available vaccines have been tested in clinical trials. (Read about "Clinical Studies") The studies show that the vaccines reduce your risk of contracting COVID-19, and lower the severity of the disease if you do contract it. Contact your healthcare provider or state health department to learn about your vaccine status.

If you have any symptoms, do not go into work. Call your healthcare provider for medical advice.