Figure 3. Health Footprint of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Older People Are Especially Vulnerable at Each Stage of the Pandemic. 1st WAVE: Immediate mortality and morbidity of COVID-19
Health Footprint of Pandemic
2nd WAVE: Impact of resource restriction on urgent non-COVID conditions
1st WAVE TAIL: Post-ICU recovery
4th WAVE: Psychic trauma, mental illness, economic injury, burnout 3rd WAVE: Impact of interrupted care on chronic conditions
Time
Source: Design based on an infographic by @VectorSting.
To counteract this situation, many health care centres have encouraged self-monitoring (e.g. in diabetic patients) and introduced or expanded access to remote medical care via telephone or online consultations. Although these remote forms of care reduce the risk of infection and encourage the use of new health technologies, they are not always effective for older people with limited technological abilities, or for
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those who require in-person attention (e.g., a physical or neurological examination). Therefore, it is critical to reinstate continuity of care according to the principles of equity and universal access by developing technological resources that are respectful of people with limited digital literacy
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