ABSTRACT

Isolation and lockdowns stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbate older adults’ vulnerability to emotional harm. This paper stresses the importance of establishing an ongoing system of distant emotional care by experienced gerontologists as a routine practice, parallel to physical healthcare services. It introduces a tele-based emotional support program for older adults operated by the Israel Gerontological Society during COVID-19. Experience with the telephone-support initiative suggests it to be an effective and meaningful means of providing emotional support to older adults and their families and assisting community caregiving agencies. Policymakers and gerontologists should address older adults’ needs for emotional support and develop effective tele-support solutions in routine times as a promising relief for homebound, frail, or lonely older adults. Tele-based emotional support can substitute for in-person meetings and easily and quickly reach out to many older adults who otherwise would not receive support.

摘要

COVID-19 大流行导致的隔离和封锁加剧了老年人容易受到情绪伤害的影响。本文强调了由经验丰富的老年学家建立一个持续的远程情感护理系统作为常规实践的重要性，与身体保健服务并行。它为 COVID-19 期间由以色列老年学会运营的老年人引入了基于远程的情感支持计划。电话支持计划的经验表明，它是一种有效且有意义的方式，可以为老年人及其家人提供情感支持并协助社区护理机构。政策制定者和老年学家应解决老年人对情感支持的需求，并在日常活动中制定有效的远程支持解决方案，作为对居家、体弱、或孤独的老年人。基于电话的情感支持可以替代面对面的会议，并且可以轻松快速地接触到许多否则无法获得支持的老年人。