The World Health Organization has officially declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, and public health officials have shared important information regarding who may be most affected.

Most people will not become seriously ill with the virus. However, the 15 to 20 per cent who may become ill enough to require hospitalization will seriously impact and possibly overwhelm our hospitals, which are already at or over capacity.

Our failure to address the long-known crisis in elder care across the country has made us unprepared for an additional demand on hospital services on the level of COVID-19.

Too many of Canada’s frail seniors are currently living in hospitals, awaiting placement for alternative levels of care elsewhere. This is why health authorities are striving to slow the progression of the virus and “flatten the curve” of hospital demand — so there is no sudden spike, but a slower increase in the number of those infected. That would be more manageable.

Canada’s older adults, particularly those with underlying health issues and those living with frailty, will be the hardest hit by the COVID-19 virus.

About 16 per cent of the Canadian population is over the age of 65. The most vulnerable of these older adults are those living with frailty, which includes one in every four older adults over 65. For people over 80, the frailty rate jumps to 50 per cent.

We need to make sure we recognize the vulnerability of seniors living with frailty.

This also means making sure that measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 don’t negatively affect our seniors. Public health authorities have advised Canadians to engage in “social distancing” — staying away from crowded public spaces and avoiding unnecessary close contact with others. But social isolation is also dangerous to the health and well-being of older adults.

Loneliness is associated with potentially life-shortening health issues, such as higher blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and depression.

Now is the time to check in on older, possibly frail or socially isolated neighbours, family and friends — but take precautions. Wash your hands, make sure you’ve had your flu vaccination and avoid in-person visits if you’ve been in contact with someone with an illness or have signs of illness yourself.

Now is also the time to help your older loved ones prepare for the long-term consequences of a COVID-19 outbreak, which may mean helping them stock up on provisions, medicines and other essentials.

We should also speak up when we hear, “Oh well, it’s only old people who are dying.” Ageism has no place in Canada and our seniors are not expendable but valuable members of our communities.

It is up to everyone to stay informed and work together as a community to mitigate the spread of the virus, which includes taking care of our vulnerable older Canadians.

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