Impact and challenges faced by elders in the time of COVID-19

Since the lockdown has been started from 23rd of march our government has faced many difficulty in controlling the COVID-19 case which were increasing day by day. Resulting in decreasing GDP and leading to crisis. In this critical situation there is a hope that in recovery rate of corona cases are quite high. The ministry of Health and Family welfare has taken many steps and measure to spread awareness to among the people. And doctors and renouned organisation all over the globe and engaged in preparing the vaccine got didn’t succeed till now, so the best measure for protection form Corona virus is social disatencing.

The recovery rate of corona survivors depends upon the age group they come from and the medical history of the patient. And by the reports it is seen that older people are more likely to get affected by corona virus and show complications during the treatment. The direct reason is because they have low immunity then the younger people. It is not because they not following the rule and protective measures but the circumstances they face like isolation, uncertainty, and income loss. The biggest challenge for the elders during the pandemic has been accessing healthcare, buying medicines, groceries, and banking. And many of their sons and daughters are stuck in the big cities due to lockdown, so there is no one to look over them. Reports says that 62 percent of older people suffer from chronic illness and many health related problems diseases such as asthma, cancer, hypertension, diabetes etc. Especially the older people from from rural areas who have no source of income during this lockdown has greatly affected the livelihood . Having no savings and no one to take care of them. The local small business if their area has also affected by about 71 percent of elder respondents stated that the income of the head of their family who earns money was affected by the lockdown.

This are some of the major issues faced by the older people, but in my opinion it can be resolved by the general ways except other government policies. Like we can make a Facebook page and ask for helping the needy older people in their locality. We join NGO and bistribut rations and essential projects to help them. This pandamic has affected our country’s economy and our income but if we are in a good state of living then we should help the needy especially the older people.