Mayabeque, Cuba: The world of older adults is not only reduced to the fact that some are caregivers and others are cared for.
For Jaruco’s Internal Medicine Specialist, Dr. Miriam Brito González, this group of the population, threatened in recent times by the coronavirus, carries a much deeper meaning in society and for the family.
The greatest concern of the specialist is the protection of the elderly: “They have paid a sad tribute in this time of coronavirus, because they are at risk of evolving into serious forms of the disease?.
“Elderly people suffer from chronic diseases, such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, overweight, obesity, kidney, lung and heart conditions that can aggravate the condition of the patient with COVID-19 and lead to death.”
Statistics from the Ministry of Public Health and empty armchairs in hundreds of homes in the country support the idea that people over 60 are in the group at greatest risk from the coronavirus.
The solution should not be to isolate the elderly from everything and everyone, Dr. Brito emphasizes: ?Loneliness and isolation cause melancholy, sadness, depression and these factors influence the immune system. People who live with older adults should have less close social relationships; it has been seen how family members who go to work, queue and other activities have not taken the measures and have infected the elderly?.
Safety must prevail without this meaning ceasing to provide affection to the elderly in the house.
