Adults 65 and older comprise 16 percent of the United States population, but account for 80 percent of the country's COVID-19 deaths, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
So while COVID-19 remains a crisis for all age groups, it's clear that it's particularly perilous for older populations. The pandemic also has produced ripples of additional health concerns.
Three Pandemic-Triggered Health Priorities Facing Seniors in 2021:
1. Vaccinations
Few can benefit more from COVID-19 vaccinations than seniors as they are the most at risk.
According to Pennsylvania Department of Health data through January 24, 19,044 of the state's 20,609 deaths—or 92.4 percent—were among those 60 and over. And 16,385 of those deaths—79.5 percent—were among those 70 and over.
“It's especially important for seniors to get the vaccine as soon as possible, given the toll COVID-19 has taken on our older population,” says Dr. Jennifer Chambers, chief medical officer at Capital BlueCross. “The majority of COVID-19 deaths in Pennsylvania and the U.S. have been among older adults, who are also at the highest risk of facing severe illness or hospitalization from the virus. Getting vaccinated can greatly reduce that risk.”
Capital BlueCross understands there are ongoing dosage shortages, distribution problems and confusion over how, when and where to get vaccinated. The health insurer is exploring ways to help through community and individual-member education, and by working with its health-system partners on distribution plans.
2. Mental Wellness
The pandemic has created the need for health protocols that Karie Batzler, Capital BlueCross director of behavioral health, called “the ultimate double-edged sword” for seniors.
“Visits with friends and family have largely stopped for seniors out of respect to health and safety,” Batzler says. “While that reduces the risk of transferring coronavirus, it also increases isolation and loneliness, so the very activity that protects seniors physically also brings a threat to their mental health.”
According to a 2020 Kaiser Family Foundation poll, nearly half (46 percent) of adults 65 and older said coronavirus-related stress has hurt their mental wellness. A quarter of those polled reported anxiety or depression.
Compounding the problem, Batzler says, is that older adults are generally less comfortable with the virtual platforms that have served as social lifelines for so many during the pandemic.
“There are, of course, seniors who are comfortable with that technology,” Batzler says, “but it's not a given.”
Capital BlueCross does its part to combat these behavioral health issues by:
- Providing members with educational health and wellness information and resources to raise awareness and combat anxiety and depression.
- Providing Capital BlueCross Medicare members free visits with psychologists, psychiatrists and counselors through the Capital BlueCross Virtual Care app. Members are able to make these visits from the comfort of their own home—to get treatment, including medication. Capital BlueCross is offering this same cost waiver to other eligible members, besides those with its Medicare coverage, through June 30, 2021.
- Introducing NeuroFlow, a self-guided mobile wellness app, earlier this year to certain eligible group plans. It offers self-care and relaxation exercises, mindful meditation resources and sleep and mood monitoring tools.
- Recently issuing a mental wellness toolkit to employers covered under its plans. The toolkit offers guidance and resources to help employers and employees better address mental health needs, reduce stigma and spur awareness and conversation. These are important tools as some seniors continue to work past traditional retirement ages.
3. Hunger
Far more seniors are facing food insecurity during COVID-19.
A July 2020 analysis found that 13.5 percent of older Americans are struggling with hunger, a 60 percent jump from pre-pandemic levels. While specific age breakdowns are unavailable locally, demand for food aid in the Lehigh Valley was up 45 percent overall as of November 2020, according to The Guardian newspaper.
A stark example of the sprawling problem is in nearby New York City, where NBC News reports senior hunger has doubled, from one in 10 prior to the pandemic to one in five now.
Capital BlueCross is committed to helping feed the hungry through various initiatives across the Lehigh Valley and Central Pennsylvania. During the COVID-19 crisis, it has donated to numerous food banks, including The Second Harvest Food Bank of the Lehigh Valley and Northeast Pennsylvania, which helps feed the hungry in six counties. Capital BlueCross provided a $35,000 COVID-relief grant to The Second Harvest in 2020 to support the increased need for food assistance during the pandemic.
As some of the most vulnerable in our communities continue to grapple with COVID-19's many challenges, coping with these three priorities is a good first step along the path to the pandemic's end.
Capital BlueCross | CapitalBlueCross.com
This post is a sponsored collaboration between Capital BlueCross and Lehigh Valley Style.
