Promoting Healthy Aging During COVID‐19

Abstract

Older adults have been markedly impacted by the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) pandemic. The American Geriatrics Society previously published a White Paper on Healthy Aging in 2018 that focused on a number of domains that are core to healthy aging in older adults: health promotion, injury prevention, and managing chronic conditions; cognitive health; physical health; mental health; and social health. The potentially devastating consequences of COVID‐19 on health promotion are recognized. The purpose of this article is multifold. First, members of the Healthy Aging Special Interest Group will present the significant difficulties and obstacles faced by older adults during this unprecedented time. Second, we provide guidance to practicing geriatrics healthcare professionals overseeing the care of older adults. We provide a framework for clinical evaluation and screening related to the five aforementioned domains that uniquely impact older adults. Last, we provide strategies that could enhance healthy aging in the era of COVID‐19.

Key Points

• COVID‐19 has challenged existing health promotion paradigms.

• Careful screening is strongly recommended during in‐person, virtual, or phone‐based visits.

• Members of the AGS Healthy Aging Special Interest Group provide resources to geriatrics healthcare professionals to provide to patients and their caregivers.

Why Does this Paper Matter

Healthy aging is important to an older adult's well‐being and physical function. COVID‐19 has negatively affected older adults making health promoting activities more difficult. Members of the AGS Healthy Aging Special Interest Group provide suggestions to geriatrics healthcare professionals for their patients.

1. INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) pandemic has disrupted routine daily activities of adults aged 65 and older ¹ who comprise 17% of the U.S. population, yet represent 31% of cases, 45% of hospitalizations, 53% of intensive care unit admissions, and 80% of deaths. ² Older adults' weakened immune responses ³ and multimorbidity ⁴ place them at a 23‐fold higher mortality risk compared with younger adults. ⁵ Such hazards potentially threaten their physical and emotional well‐being, placing them at higher risk for functional decline, adverse long‐term outcomes, and lower quality of life. ⁶ The consequences of physical distancing, stay‐at‐home orders, and quarantine measures on health and health promotion should be addressed as the pandemic continues. ⁷ Older adults who become infected with COVID‐19 and survive are also at higher risk for long‐term sequelae, including frailty, cognitive decline, and reduced immunity. ⁸

In 2018, the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) published a consensus White Paper on Healthy Aging to provide a roadmap for geriatrics healthcare professionals (GHPs), educators, and researchers among its members. ⁹ Healthy aging is defined as a multidimensional construct of five key health promotion domains focusing on promoting and optimizing: (1) promoting health, preventing injury, managing chronic conditions; (2) cognitive health; (3) physical health; (4) mental health; and (5) facilitating social engagement and resilience. COVID‐19 threatens each of these domains in older adults by compromising short‐ and long‐term outcomes, thereby negatively impacting health and well‐being. Members of the Healthy Aging Special Interest Group recognize the potential devastating consequences of COVID‐19 on health promotion for older adults during the pandemic. Our goal is to provide guidance and practical approaches to GHP seeking to promote healthy aging during the pandemic which align with the AGS White Paper (Figure 1). ⁹ We focus on the specific needs of older adults and recognize that interventions overlap multiple categories; we refer our readership to geriatricscareonline.org, and healthinaging.org for further resources.

Figure 1.

Healthy aging framework around national prevention strategy in the era of COVID‐19.

1.1. Promoting Health, Preventing Injury, and Managing Chronic Conditions

Physical health and medical comorbidity‐management of older adults have been significantly affected by COVID‐19. Regular primary care provider (PCP) follow‐up (in person, virtual, or phone‐based) optimally allows the management of chronic illnesses, and promotion of physical activity and healthy diets. Older adults are afflicted by multiple chronic conditions ¹⁰ and are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID‐19. The PCP plays a key role in identifying common signs of distress and burnout, and assessing an older adult's resiliency (Table 1), and can easily conduct such evaluations during an annual wellness visit. One barrier to optimizing the role of the PCP in supporting healthy aging in disadvantaged communities is the overall lack of access to health care and other resources.

Table 1.

Screening Tools to Promote Healthy Aging during the COVID‐19 Pandemic

Screen for	Sample Tools	Description
Advance care planning	State‐specific documentation	Sample questions could include: Do you have a healthcare proxy? Do you have a living will?
	Age‐friendly (4M's)	What are your current wishes? Identify what matters most.
Alcohol use	AUDIT‐C	3‐item, modified version of the 10 question AUDIT instrument for alcohol consumption. A score ≥3 should receive further assessment
	CAGE	4‐item interview questions that assist diagnosing alcoholism. Cutoff ≥2
	SMAST‐G	Detects at‐risk alcohol use, alcohol abuse, or alcoholism. Cutoff score ≥2
Anxiety	GAD‐7	7‐item, self‐report questionnaire used in primary care settings for screening and severity measuring of GAD. Cutoff score ≥10
Caregiver fatigue	AMA Caregiver Self‐Assessment Questionnaire	18‐item, self‐administered tool, sensitive for the detection of depressive symptoms. Cutoff score ≥10 or specific answers to three questions (4, 11, 17, 18)
	Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview	A 22‐item scale that assesses caregiver perceptions of burden that may affect health, personal, social or financial well‐being.
Cognition	Mini‐Cog	A tool that combines clock‐drawing and 3 item recall. Cutoff score ≥3
Dental	Eating Assessment Tool	A 10‐item self‐administered, symptom‐specific outcome instrument for dysphagia. Cutoff score ≥3
	DENTAL	A 6‐item screening tool that determines undetected dental conditions which compromise oral health/decrease quality of life. Cutoff ≥2
Depression	PHQ‐2	2‐item tool to screen for depression. Cutoff score ≥2
	GDS‐Short Form	A 15‐item scale that measures depression in older adults. Cutoff score ≥5
Diet Quality	Powell and Greenberg	2‐item self‐report questionnaire on fruit and vegetable intake, and consumption of sugary food and drink. Cutoff ≥1
Exercise	Physical Activity Vital Sign	2‐item screening tool from Exercise is Medicine program. Cutoff ≥150 min
Food security	Hunger Vital Sign (USDA food security survey)	Within the past 12 months: (1) worried whether our food would run out before we got money to buy more; (1) food we bought just didn't last and we didn't have money to get more. Cutoff if: always or sometimes true
Resilience	Resilience Scale	The short form of the brief resilience scale, a validated 14‐item scale that can help identify older adults low in resilience
	Coping Self‐Efficacy	The CSE scale provides a measure of a person's perceived ability to cope effectively with life challenges
Sensory impairment	Hearing	Do you have difficulty with your hearing?
	Vision	Do you have difficulty with your vision?
		Visual acuity (e.g., Snellen Chart)
Sleep	Epworth Sleepiness Scale	An 8‐question, self‐report tool designed to measure general level of daytime sleepiness. Cutoff ≥10
Social determinants of health	Accountable Health Communities Screening Tool	A 10‐item screening tool developed by CMS that identifies unmet needs across five core domains (housing instability, food insecurity, transportation needs, utility needs, interpersonal safety)
Social isolation and loneliness	UCLA 3‐Item Loneliness Scale	UCLA 3‐item loneliness scale to evaluate loneliness includes items related to companionship, belongingness, and isolation. Cutoff ≥6
	Steptoe Social Isolation Index	5‐item index addressing unmarried/not cohabiting status, less than monthly contact with children, family, friends, including face‐to‐face, by telephone, or in writing/email and no participation in social life. Cutoff ≥2
Substance abuse	Smith's single item	How many times in the past year have you used an illegal drug or used a prescription medication for nonmedical reasons?

Abbreviations: AMA, American Medical Association; AUDIT‐C, AUDIT‐Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test‐Consumption; BRS, The Brief Resilience Scale; CD‐RISC, The Connor Davidson Resilience Scale; CMS, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare; CSE, Coping Self‐Efficacy Scale; GAD‐7, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment; GDA, Geriatric Depression Screen; PHQ, Patient Health Questionnaire; RS, The Resilience Scale for Adults; SMAST‐G, Short Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, geriatric version; UCLA, University of California Los Angeles; USDA, United States Department of Agriculture.

PCPs can provide patient education, support, and resources, not only monitoring chronic conditions to prevent sudden or subacute illnesses, but also focusing on routine elements of preventive care. We strongly advocate that all older adults should receive their annual influenza vaccination and if they have yet to receive other preventive vaccinations, to do so. These may contribute to trained innate immunity, which may stimulate the adaptive immune system that improves the ability to fight off other types of infection. In ecological studies, rates of COVID‐19 were lower in areas not only with high rates of influenza vaccination, ¹¹ but also with the use of other types of vaccination. ¹² Patients may have reservations about receiving vaccinations in medical offices or facilities; yet, we do suggest administration at retail pharmacies. Last, simplifying medication regimens has known benefits but now may be an opportunity to do so.

Older adults are also at‐risk for malnutrition and those at‐risk before the pandemic are even more vulnerable now due to unhealthy eating habits and food insecurity. Food insecurity, defined as the lack of consistent physical, social, and economic access to adequate and nutritious food, has been exacerbated by increased unemployment, poverty, and higher food prices. ¹³ Before the pandemic, at least 8% of households with an older adult living alone were classified as having food insecurity. ¹⁴ That number has increased significantly since its onset. ¹³ Patients with food insecurity are more likely to need assistance or be dependent in their activities in daily living, and are more likely to have multimorbidity. ¹⁴ Food choices and access to food have been impacted because of stay‐at‐home orders and reduced external assistance. ¹⁵ Older adults who live in congregate living facilities such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities and retirement communities are at particularly high risk for malnutrition because of COVID‐19 related restrictions. Older adults residing in facilities can no longer eat communally and miss those socialization opportunities which enhance quality of life. ¹⁶

GHP should work with older adults to optimize their nutrition, especially now given the clear evidence of malnutrition in this vulnerable population. ¹⁷ Although adequate calorie intake is clearly a priority, a well‐balanced diet, centered on non‐processed foods is also important, with limited alcohol intake. ¹⁸ Adequate consumption of protein (plant over animal) to counter increased sedentary behavior and increased risk of sarcopenia should be urged. ¹⁹ Access to food remains problematic; taking advantage of delivery options from grocery stores, curbside pick‐up, availing of senior‐only hours, or asking family or friends for help with weekly shopping can be helpful. Community social workers can also facilitate locating local meal delivery services. PCPs can provide guidance to patients that can include recommendations to contact their local area Agency on Aging for more information on available resources (e.g., food banks).

High quality sleep is likewise important for good physical, mental, and social health. Many older adults report a change in sleep patterns since the start of the pandemic. ²⁰ Sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on attention, working memory, long‐term memory, and decision making. GHP should ask their older patients about sleep related concerns and where appropriate give recommendations regarding good sleep practices.

Although advance care planning and eliciting values and care preferences are important at any time, they are especially important now. Patients may clearly express their needs and wishes (e.g., intensive care unit admission fully isolated from family, intubation, feeding tubes, hydration), and identify preferences of remaining home, using home health resources, and timely hospice should they succumb to a serious COVID‐19. Having such conversations and including family members and caregivers (using virtually methods) for education about safe and comfortable home care can be invaluable.

Social worker's contribution to the aging population during the pandemic has been invaluable. Irrespective of their site of care, they may provide different resources to older adults in helping combat loneliness and ensuring safety. The resources offered vary widely from individualized therapy to patients to meal delivery services to an older adult's home. Community social workers may have updated community virtual programs to enable seniors to be more engaged. ²¹

1.2. Cognitive Health

COVID‐19 has been shown to adversely impact the central nervous system with more than 80% of those infected demonstrating some degree of a neurologic complication, including 31.8% with encephalopathy and 11.4% with anosmia. ²² The incidence of COVID‐19 neurologic complications is even higher in older adults. ²³ Persistent fatigue is also common. Both the restrictions that have been put in place to protect older adults from COVID‐19 and being infected with COVID‐19 are associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia. ²⁴ Older adults with normal cognition at baseline may experience new memory impairment following infection. Those with existing cognitive impairment are at high risk for both acute changes in their level of alertness and a sudden additional deterioration in their cognitive function. ²⁵ These changes are most prominent in those older adults that experienced hypoxia, hypoperfusion, intubation, and sedation. Among older adults with established cognitive impairment, leaving the house and interacting with others can provide cognitive stimulation and preserve physical function. ²⁶ Regrettably, caregivers report that 63% of loved ones with cognitive impairment have experienced cognitive decline during the pandemic, according to an on‐line poll. ²⁷ Hence, establishment and reinforcement of new routines can help to increase predictability and stability in an unpredictable time.

Psychological stress induced by COVID‐19 can also lead to cognitive decline, including reduced attention, impaired learning, memory impairment, difficulty with decision‐making, and impaired problem solving. ²⁸ Social isolation due to stay‐at‐home orders disrupts daily life routines and can impact behavioral symptoms such as agitation, wandering and aggression. Caregivers of patients are also susceptible to the issues addressed above as they work to care for their loved ones. Identifying caregiver fatigue and supporting caregivers is always important, but is of added importance during this pandemic. As GHP, we should be aware of these factors, identify individuals and caregivers at risk and work with both older adults and their caregivers to preserve cognition and cognitive resilience.

Hearing impairment is a recognized risk factor for cognitive impairment and can contribute to acute confusion in older adults with existing cognitive impairment. ²⁹ Verbal communication with older adults who have hearing impairment is complicated by the need to wear a mask. Strategies that can be used to optimize communication with older adults, despite COVID‐19 related restrictions are listed in Table 2. For instance, if hearing is difficult during physical activity (e.g., while walking 6 feet apart), patients can talk with family members on the phone at rest.

Table 2.

Sample Strategies to Enhance Healthy Aging During COVID‐19: Levels of Prevention Model

Domains	Potential Recommendations	Sample Resources to Guide Geriatric Healthcare Professionals a
Health, preventing injury and managing chronic conditions	Involve family/friends	Advance care planning: prepareforyourcare.com; theconversationproject.org
	Books	Blue Zones Kitchen: 100 Recipes to Live to 100, by Dan Buettner
	Follow evidence‐based dietary plans	MIND or Mediterranean Diet
		oldwayspt.org/traditional‐diets/mediterranean‐diet/mediterranean‐diet‐resources
	General Resources, Chronic Disease	General Resources: www.aarp.org
		Osteoarthritis resources: www.arthritis.org/diseases/osteoarthritis, www.arthritis.org/living‐with‐arthritis/tools‐resources/walk‐with‐ease
		The American College of Lifestyle Medicine ‐ using lifestyle to advance healthy aging and chronic disease reduction: www.lifestylemedicine.org
		Wear mask and maintain physical distance
Cognitive Health	Books	The Alzheimer's Solution, by Dean and Ayesha Sherzai
	Sleep Hygiene	Aim for 7‐9 hours of restful sleep
		Sleep apps: e.g., Calm.com, Sleepio
	Address vision/hearing	Local eye professional and/or audiologist
	Educate/support caregiver distress	Take online classes through local community college, etc.
	Meditation	Meditation apps: e.g., Headspace
Physical health	Books	The Harvard Medical School Guide to Tai Chi: by Peter Wayne; “Younger Next Year” by Chris Crowley and Henry Lodge
	Exercise, Tai Chi	Opt for virtual classes or outdoor experiences—be outside in safely
		NCOA: recommended exercise programs (Active Choices, Health Moves)
		Geri‐Fit: resistance strength training program—www.gerifit.com
		Silver Sneakers, yoga
		Tai Chi Moving for Better Balance/Chair TaiChi, Suman Barkhas (YouTube)
		Health Moves: home based exercise program www.ncoa.org/resources/program‐summary‐healthy‐moves‐for‐aging‐well/
		Go4Life: www.nia.nih.gov/health/exercise‐physical‐activity
		Bingocize: www.ncoa.org/resources/bingocize‐program‐summary
		Chair stand for proximal strengthening
		Visit local library for exercise videos (if no internet access)
	Maintain oral health	Visit local dentists (www.ada.org)
		Contact local Area Agency on Aging for more resources
	Vitamin D deficiency	Take vitamin D3 800‐2000 units
Mental health	Books	Live More Happy by Darren Morton
	Engage in virtual psychotherapy	Location of psychotherapy resources: PsychologyToday.com
	Limit alcohol consumption: 3 drinks on a given day; 7 drinks per week	Alcohol reduction: www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/thinking‐about‐a‐change/strategies‐for‐cutting‐down/tips‐to‐try.aspx
	Attend caregiver groups	Caregiver support groups: www.alz.org
	Manage stress through mind‐body practices	Mind‐body practice (meditation, yoga, TaiChi), www.nccih.nih.gov/health/stress
		Positive Coping Strategies
		Practice spirituality (online)
Facilitating social engagement	Books	Resilience (Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges), Steven Southwick
	Participate in physically distanced or virtual visits with family and friends	Video Chats: Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet
		Attend virtual religious services
	Socialize (telephone, text messaging)	Loneliness/Social Isolation toolkit: populationhealth.humana.com/resources/social‐isolation‐loneliness‐toolkit/
		Social media: Facebook, Twitter
		Encourage letter writing
	Online games and courses for older adults	Online games: https://onlinegamesforseniors.com/
		Coursera: on‐demand video lectures: www.coursera.org/
		Computer Class for Seniors: https://www.medicarefaq.com/blog/top‐free‐computer‐classes‐for‐seniors/
		National organization for healthy aging and lifelong learning: www.oasisnet.org
	Other General Resources	Area Agencies: https://www.n4a.org
		COVID‐19 resources: https://www.engagingolderadults.org/covid19

^aBased on the experience and suggestions from members of the Health Aging Special Interest Group.

1.3. Physical health

Many interventions aimed at optimizing physical health and mitigating the impact of common conditions during the aging process (e.g., falls prevention, osteoporosis, dental and oral health, and osteoarthritis) ⁹ have needed to be changed because of fear of COVID‐19 exposure.

COVID‐19 has limited the ability of older adults to stay physically active. Exercise facilities, community/senior centers, long‐term care community classes, and pools have either ceased operations or have curtailed their hours. In some parts of the country, parks have been closed. As these locations re‐open, their access may be limited (hours, reservations needed, lack of transportation) and safety concerns may persist. We understand the need to balance between infection risk from exercising in public spaces and optimizing physical health; it is critical that older adults remain physically active. GHP should promote exercise during the pandemic by providing creative advice and encouragement. Walking is possible with appropriate physical distancing with friends, children, or grandchildren. We can support and urge the participation of older adults in regular on‐line exercise classes. Supporting the use of web‐based nature videos that simulate walking or cycling, or web‐classes that be conducted individually or with a group should be considered. For those where internet connectivity is a challenge, consider engaging a trusted family member to identify or move an old treadmill, exercise bike, or elliptical to a prominent place in the house. Reminding patients that sedentary behavior increases risk of heart disease, declining function, and mortality is important and that waiting until the pandemic is over to return to regular physical activity may prevent or delay a return to baseline. ³⁰ If a patient has had COVID‐19, they should resume exercise gradually. We support and encourage activity around the house to prevent thrombosis; best evidence suggests waiting 2 to 3 weeks to gradually resume exercise if someone has had pulmonary or cardiac symptoms associated with their COVID‐19 infection. ³¹

Many of the sites where community dwelling older adults were able to gather for exercise or social events such as senior centers and churches have been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, although some are slowly opening up with appropriate precautions. These sites were places where older adults could congregate to participate in evidence based self‐management programs provided by Area Agency on Aging resources and grant funding (see Table 2). For instance, fall prevention programs at congregate centers may have been postponed, and should continue to be encouraged with appropriate supports virtually. In warmer climates, outdoor programs can be considered, being mindful of physical distancing. Limiting activities for older adults to what they can do within their own homes has been encouraged, and some older adults have resources (Wi‐Fi and devices) to livestream chair exercise classes and other informational and social activities directly into their homes.

Regular dental care has often been omitted or delayed during the pandemic. Early in the pandemic timeline (March 2020) the American Dental Association recommended curtailment of all but urgent or emergency care partly due to concerns for conservation of personal protective equipment for other healthcare colleagues. ³² However, data collected since then have supported a change in policy and since August 2020 all dental care is considered essential health care and should be resumed. ³³ The risk of COVID‐19 transmission to patients during dental care is believed to be low; in fact, literature suggests that rates of COVID‐19 in U.S. dentists ~0.9%. ³⁴ Transmission risk for dental care providers exists due to the aerosolization and droplets produced during dental care, but is effectively limited by the use of personal protective equipment such as N‐95 masks, goggles, facial shields, disinfection between patients, and handwashing. ³⁵ GHP should encourage patients to contact their dental care providers about the safety of resuming both prophylactic and necessary dental care using appropriate precautions. ³⁶

GHP can assist their patients and families to optimize their health by referring them to digital resources whenever possible. These resources were available before pandemic conditions, but nearly all are available now in new modalities as they have had to pivot to a new way of interacting with participants in a virtual world. Although many of the sites have physically closed, their resources are often still available digitally for older adults who have the ability and access to technology and the internet. Resources available on websites as self‐paced modules or phone calls to those who lack access to internet‐based technology, and online support groups and information about healthy living with arthritis (see Table 2).

1.4. Mental health

COVID‐19 has impacted everyone's psychological wellbeing, including older adults. It is worth noting, that despite ageist assumptions, older adults generally enjoy good mental health, akin to that of younger adults. ³⁷ Older adults have also been shown to be better able to cope with both COVID‐19 and non‐COVID‐19 related stress. ³⁸ Many older adults also demonstrate high degrees of resiliency, described as the ability to maintain the best possible adjustment when facing challenging circumstances. ³⁹ GHP should however be aware that not all older adults are coping well with COVID‐19 related stress. Assessing gaps in older adults for resiliency should be considered.

Loneliness, clinically defined as a sense of existential isolation and being without outlets for emotional connection, is one important factor to address in facilitating coping. A large national survey identified a clear increase in loneliness corresponding with the early months of the pandemic and associated isolation precautions. ⁴⁰ Those identified as being at notably increased risk were women, as well as those who live alone, who are not working, who are of lower socioeconomic status, and who report poorer physical and mental health at baseline. In later months, data suggested that the use of technology (e.g., social media) has mitigated these concerns to a degree, but certainly should not be the only strategy for addressing isolation.

The role of ageism and COVID‐19 is of concern, where studies have the risk of minimization of the value of an older adult's life, both among healthcare providers and the general public. ⁴¹ These findings are concerning but also form the foundation for elder abuse. Elder abuse rates have risen since the pandemic's onset, and elder abuse is often unreported. ⁴² Like in the pre‐pandemic era, it is often perpetrated by family members. Infection control precautions and associated emotional stresses have complicated all these dynamics.

Rates of substance use have increased considerably compared to the same period in 2019. ⁴³ Liquor sales were 55% higher in March 2020 compared to a year earlier with a 262% increase in online sales. ⁴⁴ Self‐reported alcohol consumption also increased, with a majority reporting an increase in drinking on 1 more day per month and an increase in problematic drinking for women. ¹⁸ Given the elevated risk of suicide among older adults with both alcohol use disorder and depression, ⁴⁵ it is imperative GHP appropriately identifies and manages older patients suffering with substance use, proactively assessing risk and counseling to curb use and foster healthy aging.

1.5. Facilitating Social Engagement

Physical distancing, resulting for many in social isolation, is a cornerstone of efforts to reduce the spread of COVID‐19. Social isolation has a negative impact on mental, physical, and emotional health, increasing risk for anxiety, insomnia, depression, cognitive decline, a weakened immune system, diabetes mellitus, cerebrovascular diseases, cancer, and mortality. ⁴⁶ Social relationships can be considered “the single most important predictor of happiness and longevity.” ⁴⁷ Older adults who live alone or reside in congregate living arrangements (e.g., nursing homes, assisted living, senior housing) are at particularly high risk for the negative effects of social isolation. Although protecting older adults from getting COVID‐19 is a priority, we need to be more aware of the negative impact of physical distancing and social isolation on other aspects of an older adult's health. ⁴⁸ Promoting social connectedness for older adults during the pandemic is an important goal. The mechanism by which to achieve this remains challenging. Although virtual connections are inferior to face‐to‐face interpersonal relationships, communication by phone, text, or video chat can be helpful. The United Kingdom has used regular scheduled phone calls in isolated older adults who are lonely for many years, as a means of providing support and monitoring the physical and emotional health of older adults who live alone. ⁴⁹ Similar programs have been initiated in response to the pandemic. These should be encouraged, supported, and expanded both during the pandemic and after.

Social media can be used for positive social connectivity and not to spread fear, uncertainty, and intolerance. ⁴⁷ Working in collaboration with other societal and professional organizations can strengthen positive social connectivity, by sharing reliable health information and recommendations. Nurturing personal resilience is as important as building community resilience. Our Interest Group feels that building a strong community may help mitigate the impact of coronavirus. Neighborhoods' and communities' strong relationships and partnerships with policy makers may help to utilize resources, reduce health disparities, and buffer the impacts of pandemic‐related stress. ⁵⁰ Adversity creates an opportunity to reflect and find a way to bounce back even stronger than before. Physical isolation does not mean social disconnectedness. It might create an opportunity to build even stronger and more meaningful connectedness.

In facilities with communal dining, the benefit of opening up with physical distancing rules may outweigh the risk of getting sick. Before the pandemic, many family members would help their loved ones eat during mealtimes. Once again, with the understanding that there is a balance between keeping these vulnerable older adults safe, and promoting overall good health, allowing a limited number of visitors to come during meal times so that residents do not need to eat alone is an important consideration for such facilities. Visitors could be asked to follow the same state specific surveillance protocols currently in place for the staff of these facilities. In colder climates where residents need to eat indoor, empiric supplementation of Vitamin D may be considered.

2. CONCLUSION

Older adults have not only borne the brunt of COVID‐19 illness and death, but they have also suffered disproportionately from the restrictions put in place to limit the spread of the virus. AGS is an advocate for optimizing good health in old age. Although COVID‐19 has challenged this goal, members of the AGS Healthy Aging Special Interest Group remain committed to promoting healthy aging both during and after the current pandemic and educating our patients and to our colleagues. Supplementary Table S1 highlights overarching themes that can be helpful to all GHP.

COVID‐19 has forced our society and patients to change how to engage in health promotion activities. There needs to be a balance between keeping older adults safe from the ravages of COVID‐19 and optimizing their overall health. Both the positive and negative effects of the plans put in place to keep older adults safe need to be measured. This can be challenging because identifying the number of COVID‐19 cases and associated complications is relatively easy, but identifying the negative impact of COVID‐19 related restrictions on the overall health of older adults is much more difficult. When it is clear that the negative impact on older adults is greater than the positive, these plans need to be adjusted. Engaging GHP in pandemic planning should be considered in engaging communities and older adults as outlined in the White Paper.

At the time of this writing, there is a light at the end of the tunnel with the emergency use authorization approval of the first two vaccines for widespread use. Although older adults are prioritized over other lower‐risk demographic groups (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html), this pandemic has undoubtedly altered our routine lifestyle but perhaps has provided opportunities for changes in healthcare delivery. Advocacy efforts should prompt policymakers in changing reimbursement systems by promoting technology‐based endeavors, particularly in under‐represented populations and under resourced areas. Those working with older adults help optimize their health and function; we need to be aware of the challenges in achieving this goal posed by COVID‐19 and the efforts to limit its spread. We need to continue to work with older adults, their families, and caregivers, to make sure that our efforts to promote healthy aging are sustained in the face of the pandemic. Continuing to dispel ageism in health promotion interventions and advocating for additional training to non‐geriatric providers through interprofessional learning endeavors is needed. We need to be a part of the discussions and plans put in place to limit the spread of the pandemic, so that these plans are sensitive to the overall health needs of older adults.

Supporting information

Supplementary Table S1: Overarching themes for geriatric healthcare professionals caring for older adults.