PubMed, Web of Science |
Journal of Clinical Nursing |
Brooke et al., 202018
|
Older people and COVID-19: isolation, risk and ageismb
|
Editorial |
It addresses social isolation, risks, and ageism during COVID-19. |
Biased, negative, and implicitly devaluing discourses contribute for older adults to feel useless, burdensome, and valueless, diminishing their social opportunities and making them vulnerable to negative social and health outcomes, especially isolation and loneliness. |
PubMed, BVS, Scopus, Web of Science |
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association |
Cesari et al., 202024
|
COVID-19 in Italy: Ageism and decision making in a pandemicb
|
Editorial |
It criticizes ethical and clinical guidelines regarding the allocation of scarce intensive care resources based on the age criterion during the COVID-19 pandemic in Italy. |
Conducts driven only by the number of years lived configure ageism. Critical and rapid decision-making in older people’s health require parameters more robust than age, including frailty, comorbidities, and functional status. |
PubMed, Web of Science |
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society |
Jimenez-Sotomayor et al., 202025
|
Coronavirus, ageism, and twitter: an evaluation of tweets about older adults and COVID -19a
|
Qualitative research |
It analyzes tweets related to older adults and COVID-19 to identify of age-based discrimination content. |
Almost a quarter of the tweets analyzed (21.1%; n=74) addressed age-based discrimination content or was potentially offensive to older people, designated as “boomers.” The comments diminished the value of older adults’ lives or minimized COVID-19 hazards for affecting this age group. |
PubMed |
Geriatrics |
Petretto et al., 202026
|
Ageing and COVID-19: what is the role for elderly people?b
|
Editorial |
It addresses the role of older adults in the context of COVID-19 and highlights the risks of ageism from the Italian experience. |
Older adults’ greater vulnerability to coronavirus increases the risk of ageism, and actively performing roles during the pandemic reduces such risk. As a result of ageism, older adults may face major barriers in accessing healthcare and support. Protecting older adults from infection is important, but so is respecting and supporting them in this complex situation. |
PubMed, Web of Science |
Journal of Aging & Social Policy |
Morrow-Howell et al., 202027
|
Recovering from the COVID-19 Pandemic: a focus on older adultsb
|
Article – Perspective |
It discusses the challenges (including ageism) and opportunities arising from the COVID-19 pandemic based on the experience of older adults. |
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed that ageism and old age-based stereotypes contributed to abandoning older adults and neglecting their needs. Memes and hashtags that disseminate the idea of eliminating or getting older adults out of the way depreciate them and validate the virus by stimulating a reduced public expenditure with this age group – deemed as unproductive, dependent, and expensive. |
PubMed |
Age and Ageing |
Fraser et al., 202028
|
Ageism and COVID-19: what does our society’s response say about us?b
|
Commentary |
It stresses the ageism arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and discusses how older people are misrepresented and devalued in the current public discourse around the pandemic. |
The current public discourse around COVID-19 misrepresents and devalues older people. At first, the pandemic was not taken seriously and was portrayed by the public discourse as only dangerous for older adults. This narrative might explain the social resistance in following public health recommendations. Ageism has reached a new level with memes and hashtags that talk about killing or eliminating older adults, represented as vulnerable and helpless beings whose death by the virus was predicted and inevitable. |
PubMed, Scopus |
Asian Journal of Psychiatry |
Banerjee, 202029
|
‘Age and ageism in COVID-19’: elderly mental health-care vulnerabilities and needsb
|
Note to the Editor |
It addresses ageism and age vulnerability in the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for promoting mental healthcare and the well-being of older adults. |
The impact of the pandemic may be greater in older adults, given they are aware of their vulnerability and may self-neglect. Ageism may lead to elder marginalization and abuse, fostering functional dependence and decreasing well-being. |
PubMed |
Journal of Gerontological Social Work |
Berg-Weger et al., 202030
|
COVID-19 Pandemic: Workforce implications for gerontological social workb
|
Article |
It addresses four issues that became more pronounced with the pandemics: ageism, technology, social isolation and loneliness, and interprofessional practice, considering workforce implications for gerontological social work with COVID-19. |
Different ageist conducts were demonstrated throughout the pandemic, including the lack of protocols for older adults and gerontological content in the curricula of health professions providing care to older adults, inequalities in resources allocation, derogatory references to older adults, and relief for this age group presenting more risk of mortality. |
PubMed, Web of Science |
Journal of Gerontological Social Work |
Swinford et al., 202031
|
Applying gerontological social work perspectives to the coronavirus pandemicb
|
Commentary |
It analyzes three gerontological perspectives of social assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
The older population heterogeneity challenges ageism and the age-based stereotypes that emerged with COVID-19. Ageism notions are based on harmful stereotypes that reduce a group extremely heterogeneous into a single cohort based on their age. Rejecting ageist discourses and reinforcing arguments to support older adults and workers, volunteers and caregivers, are important measures, as well as actively promoting efforts to foster solidarity between generations. |
PubMed |
International Psychogeriatrics |
Ayalon, 202017
|
There is nothing new under the sun: ageism and intergenerational tension in the age of the COVID-19 outbreakb
|
Commentary |
It addresses the relation between ageism and intergenerational tension in the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Older adults were the main affected and less compliant with social practices implemented during the pandemic. All older adults were placed in a same homogeneous, vulnerable group, disregarding the heterogeneity of aging and reinforcing ageism, which sparks disagreements between different generations. |
PubMed |
The Journals of Gerontology |
Ayalon et al., 202032
|
Aging in times of the COVID-19 pandemic: avoiding ageism and fostering intergenerational solidarityb
|
Editorial |
It expatiates on how ageist discourse can affect all generations. |
The pandemic provoked a parallel outbreak of ageism. The media depicted older adults as a fragile group, made of powerless people, unable to contribute to society. Incorporating these stereotypes may be detrimental for both older adults and young people, during their own aging. Physical distancing must not imply social distancing, and relationships between generations must be strengthened. The concept of risk group should take into account other factors besides age, such as chronic diseases and frailty. |
PubMed, BVS, Scopus |
British Medical Journal |
Archard et al., 202033
|
Is it wrong to prioritize younger patients with covid-19?b
|
Note to the Editor (Opinion) |
It explains the reasons why age cannot be a determining factor in deciding which life should be prioritized. |
Everyone has the right to live for a certain duration, so that deciding who gets to live based only on age is not right. Moreover, old lives worth just as much as young ones. The key point is employing ethics to avoid having discriminatory and ageistic attitudes – according to which older adults worth less or are less important than young people. |
PubMed |
Journal of Aging & Social Policy |
Ehni et al., 202034
|
Six propositions against ageism in the COVID-19 pandemic. b
|
Article (other category) |
Based on gerontological knowledge and the ethics of aging, it offers six proposals against the ageism pervading the current reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic. |
The pandemics evinced comments on older adults developing the most severe form of COVID-19 and having a greater risk of dying. During the pandemics, many attitudes are based on negative stereotypes of older adults’ health and functioning, devaluing their lives and exacerbating ageism. Considering that, the authors offer six proposals to change such behavior, which will be presented later. |
PubMed, BVS |
Revista Española de Geriatria y Gerontologia
|
Tarazona-Santabalbina et al., 202035
|
COVID-19, adult mayor y edadismo: errores que nunca han de volver a ocurrir [COVID-19, olderadults and ageism: mistakes that should never happen again]b
|
Editorial |
It discusses ageist attitudes during the pandemic and what must be done to tackle them. |
Decisions made during this health emergency do not justify the devaluation of older people. Geriatrics and gerontology professionals must join efforts to disclose more information and terminate ageism. Older adults must also have access to tests and specialized health teams to avoid such mistakes in the future. |
PubMed |
British Journal of Anaesthesia |
Savulescu et al., 202036
|
Equality or utility? Ethics and law of rationing ventilatorsb
|
Editorial |
It explains the ethical terms egalitarianism and utilitarianism and how they apply to decisions regarding the allocation of intensive care and mechanical ventilation and the lives to be saved in the pandemic scenario. |
Decisions regarding mechanical ventilation should be made by the health team together with the patient and grounded on aspects other than simply age or disability – as this could be jaundiced. Recognizing that people should not be arbitrarily discriminated, the authors suggest using “preventive utilitarianism” to ensure equality, so that the largest number of people would benefit from the greatest good in an equal manner. |
PubMed |
Journal of Aging & Social Policy |
Previtali et al., 202037
|
Not only virus spread: The diffusion of ageism during the outbreak of COVID-19. b
|
Article |
It addresses ageism diffusion during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Ageism has harmful effects on society and its incidence has increased during the pandemic. Although COVID-19 affects all age groups, older populations have been highlighted by the media. Several social media comments reinforce ageism and, contrary to what has been disclosed, older adults are highly active in society and extremely affected by social isolating measures. Ageist practices during the pandemics reinforce stereotypes and violate human rights, demanding a collective effort to end this. |
PubMed |
European Cardiology Review |
Martínez-Sellés et al., 202038
|
Ethical issues in decision-making regarding the elderly affected by coronavirus disease 2019: an expert opinionb
|
Opinion article |
It expatiates on decisions regarding the older population during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Older adults should be prioritized in preventive measures against coronavirus given they are at higher risk of contamination. Yet, decisions should not be grounded solely on age, but rather consider those more likely to survive. Social isolation incur physical and psychological risks to older adults, not only within their household, but also in hospitals, institutions, and even at wakes. |
PubMed |
Journal of Aging & Social Policy |
Reynolds, 202039
|
The COVID-19 pandemic exposes limited understanding of ageismb
|
Article |
It addresses the lack of knowledge on ageism and its impacts on the ageing process. |
With the COVID-19, the lack of knowledge regarding ageism was very evident. An important example of ageism dimensions and constructions in the context of COVID-19 was the case of the Lieutenant Governor of Texas, who said he would give up his own life to save his grandchildren’s generation. Health professionals and caregivers also state unintentional ageist comments. We must implement this biopsychosocial concept within different spheres. |
BVS |
Cogitare Enfermagem
|
Hammerschmidt, et al., 202040
|
Saúde do idoso em tempos de pandemia COVID-19
b
|
Free communication |
It addresses, in a reflexive and critical manner, aspects related to older adults’ health in pandemic times. |
The pandemic bloomed ageism. Measures aiming to protect older adults during the pandemics reinforced age-based stereotypes. This situation may have negative impacts on family relationships and promote intergenerational conflicts. Despite highlighting the importance of healthcare for older adults, the COVID-19 pandemic also reinforced ageist behaviors, mockery, and judgments. Physical distancing actions should maintain the autonomy and independence of older people. |
Web of Science |
Journal of Loss and Trauma |
Rahman, et al., 202041
|
Defining a ‘risk group’ and ageism in the era of COVID-19b
|
Article |
It deals with the COVID-19 cumulative incidence, addressing the classification of the group at greater risk, which is not only questionable, but also problematic. |
Labeling older adults as a risk group relying entirely on age is a form of ageism that may accelerate social isolation and increase levels of psychosocial pain. Besides age, social, cultural, and contextual factors must be taken into account for formulating these groups. Social media platforms should be used positively to spread facts and avoid panic. The heterogeneity inherent to the aging process must be recognized, and positive attitudes toward older adults must start within our homes and enter digital media. |
Web of Science |
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction |
Flett, et al., 202042
|
Aging and feeling valued versus expendable during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond: a review and commentary of why mattering is fundamental to the health and well-being of older adultsa
|
Review and comment |
It assesses the protective role of feelings considered important for older people in typical and atypical times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. |
The authors present the concept of “mattering” and its particularities in the older population. All people want to feel important and valued, and this fact is even more pronounced among older adults during the pandemic. Many older adults may feel more vulnerable and helpless as a result of government recommendations and the comments made. Social isolation likewise causes further hazards to the health of this population. Considering that, biased comments on aging should be avoided and measures should be developed to preserve the physical and mental health of older people. |