Ageing societies and the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic – Statements of the European Geriatric Medicine Society and measures of the Hungarian Government concerning older people

Purpose Ageing of the societies is a demographic phenomenon in the developed world. SARS-CoV-2 is a novel human coronavirus responsible for a pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). World Health Organization (WHO) data demonstrated that the first two waves of the pandemic had the most severe impact on older people and that is why new guidelines and protocols were necessary in geriatric medicine to protect senior citizens. Materials and methods In our publication, we summarise the three statements of EuGMS concerning the first and second waves of COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. Besides following the European recommendations, a proper local response was necessary in each country. Results The Hungarian Government has successfully completed the necessary measures during the first two waves, which are summarised in our publication. Those measures took into consideration not only the international guidelines, but the capacities of the healthcare system, as well as the sociodemographic and economic characteristics of the country. Conclusions Successful local defence against COVID-19 required adequate and optimised interpretation of the international guidelines to save the life of thousands of older adults in Hungary.

Health Care Facilities for Senior Citizens in Selected Tertiary Hospitals During Covid-19 Pandemic

Background: To assess the health care facilities provided for senior citizens in selected tertiary hospitals. Methods: This descriptive type of cross-sectional study was carried out among service providers (doctors and nurses) and hospital administrators within the period of January to December 2020. A total of 305 respondents was selected purposively. Semi structured questionnaire and observational checklist was used to collect data. Data was collected by face to face interview and observation. Data was analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) software version 25. Results: Among participants, Administrator 2.6%, Doctor 25.2% and Nurse 72.1%. Mean age of the respondents was 32.72±7.67 years. Most of the respondents 90.8% working experience less than 10 years and their average monthly income was Tk. 35398.90±16509.12. In DMCH separate geriatric ward present but in BSMMU geriatric ward absent. Rehabilitation center & long-term care facilities for elderly patients, telemedicine service, separation facility for non COVID geriatric patients from COVID positive patients, free care facility for poor elderly patients, social welfare support facilities present in both hospitals. Separate bed facility in general wards, geriatric ICU and COVID ward absent, training facility on geriatric health absent in both hospitals. Majority of the respondents 97.0% take consent before any procedure, 89.6% service provider involve geriatric patients in decision making about their care and treatment, 56.6% respondents follow polypharmacy guideline. Opinion regarding utility service was average. Opinion regarding diagnostic facilities, essential drugs, sterilization facilities, of this hospital for senior citizens was moderately sufficient 50.5%, 60.6% and 59.3% respectively and ambulance service insufficient 53.4%. Among respondents 89.8% face barriers in providing geriatric health care. Opinion regarding the existing health care facilities for senior citizens of this hospitals insufficient 52.8%. Regarding improvement of health care services 26.0% mentioned that training of doctor/ nurses followed by separate geriatric ward facilities for geriatric patients 20.8%, increase the number of supporting staff 16.2%, free health care facilities for poor elderly patients 11.8%, training of supporting staffs 10.6%, training for informal/family caregiver 7.4%, separate bed for geriatric patient in general wards 6.4% and the rest others mentioned 0.7%. Analysis found statistically significant association between national guideline follow for the treatment and care of older patients and their educational qualification (0.001), designation (p=0.001), polypharmacy guideline follows for the treatment and care of older patients and their designation, referral guideline follows for geriatric patients and their designation (p=0.001). Conclusion: To provide quality healthcare service to the senior citizens of Bangladesh, geriatric health care should be given highest priority. JOPSOM 2021; 40(1): 51-58

Senior Citizen Information System

This developmental-descriptive research sought to design and developed a computer-based system, to be known as the Senior Citizens Information System, to provide real-time information dissemination among senior citizen members in the Municipality of Batad, Iloilo pertaining to their membership status and monetary assistance monitoring. The Rapid Application Development model was employed as the SDLC in the development of the system product. More so, the three-tier architecture was used as the architectural model. There were 120 senior citizens as user-respondents and five IT experts for evaluation. The system product was evaluated using a researchers-made survey instrument to determine if level of usability and performance. Results of the investigation shows that the system product was perceived as very good with its level of usability as well as its performance.

The Influence of Gender Equality on Volunteering Among European Senior Citizens

This research analyzes how gender equality influences the participation of European senior citizens in a range of volunteering activities (Social Awareness, Professional and Political, Education, and Religion). The main contribution is the simultaneous consideration of different levels of data aggregation: individual, national and welfare system. This allows conclusions to be drawn on the effects of variables linked to sociodemographic characteristics, gender equality and welfare systems. The empirical estimation utilised microdata from the World Values Survey (2005/09 and 2010/14) and the United Nations Development Programme. Results suggest that the European senior citizens appear to believe that they are more equal than the official statistics of their countries indicate. Men are more likely to participate in professional and education activities; women are more likely to be involved in religious organisations. Welfare systems influence volunteering behaviours. The promotion of macro-policies for gender equality could be important for increasing participation in non-profit organisations.

Health beliefs and adherence of the elderly to fall prevention measures: a quasi-experimental study

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the effect of an educational intervention on health beliefs and adherence of elderly people to fall prevention measures. Methods: This is a quasi-experimental study, carried out at the Senior Citizens' Center. Sixty-eight elderly completed the intervention. The intervention consisted of four meetings focused on beliefs about falls and prevention, and the evaluation occurred at baseline and 30 days after completion. Results: The elderly were predominantly women (83.82%), with one to four years of schooling (36.76%), with health problems (95.59%), and 48.53% had fallen. There was a significant increase in perceived susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and total health belief score post educational intervention. By adding total to partial adherence, there was a significant increase in the adherence of the elderly to fall prevention measures after the educational intervention. Conclusion: Educational intervention was able to improve the beliefs and adherence of the elderly to fall prevention measures.