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Chapter 64 - Epidemic and Pandemic Impacts on the Elderly Population

from Section IV - Principles of Care for the Elderly

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  30 June 2022

By
Amanda A. Kovacich ,
William Fischer  and
C. Adrian Austin
Edited by
Jan Busby-Whitehead ,
Samuel C. Durso ,
Christine Arenson ,
Rebecca Elon ,
Mary H. Palmer  and
William Reichel
Jan Busby-Whitehead
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Samuel C. Durso
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University, Maryland
Christine Arenson
Affiliation:
Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia
Rebecca Elon
Affiliation:
The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Mary H. Palmer
Affiliation:
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
William Reichel
Affiliation:
Georgetown University Medical Center
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Summary

Infectious pandemics have had a significant negative impact on economies and health-care systems around the world repeatedly throughout history. Patients with advanced age are commonly disproportionately affected by pandemics. Health-care providers for older patients may be the first to recognize emerging infectious emergencies and play a critical role for older patients during infectious threats. This chapter outlines historical infectious outbreaks, epidemics, and pandemics and their impact on older patients. The chapter further outlines the risks of pandemics to older patients, describes key response strategies, and guides preparedness of the geriatric care provider for future infectious public health emergencies.

Keywords

pandemicemerging infectious diseasegeriatricspreparednesspublic health
Type
Chapter
Information
Reichel's Care of the Elderly
Clinical Aspects of Aging
 , pp. 771 - 779
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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