Introduction
As we enter the fifth year of the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s clear that the virus remains a significant public health concern. While initial waves of infection, widespread lockdowns, and intensive care unit overcrowding are no longer the norm, the pandemic’s effects continue to reverberate, particularly in vulnerable populations such as seniors. Far from being a mere historical event, COVID-19 persists as an evolving challenge, driven by new variants and the emergence of long-term health consequences like long COVID.
For seniors, the pandemic is not just an abstract concern but a personal and immediate threat. The aging population has been disproportionately affected by both acute COVID-19 infections and the lingering symptoms associated with long COVID. The risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death remains higher among older adults, particularly those with pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, or compromised immune systems. As COVID-19 continues to mutate, bringing new variants with it, older adults face the dual challenge of protecting themselves from infection while managing the potential long-term impacts of the virus.
(Note: About Us, a reference bibliography, related books and videos are all found at the end of this article.)