The Situation with Institutionalized Elderly in Bulgaria during COVID-19 Pandemic

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences Pub Date : 2023-09-14 DOI:10.3889/oamjms.2023.11765

Sevdalina Todorova

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

BACKGROUND: At the beginning of the pandemic, health authorities warned that the most vulnerable group of the coronavirus infection are persons over the age of 65 and in particular institutionalized elderly, as their mortality rate is growing exponentially. Therefore, the protection of old people living in social institutions during the periods of COVID-19 waves is an essential priority. AIM: The study presents information from Bulgarian and foreign surveys and available data from regional, international social and health organizations, government institutions, and departments regarding the situation with institutionalized elderly in Bulgaria during COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was used by searching the Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, and PubMed online databases of various legal and scientific sources for relevant and reliable information. RESULTS: Bulgarian old people inhabiting specialized social institutions are at a much higher risk of coronavirus infection and disease. A significant part of them has severe impairments and accompanying chronic conditions, which instantly make them potential, quick, and easy victims of the pandemic. Residents of social homes are isolated from the outside world. They are forced to eat in the common dining room and to share the personal room with another accommodated individual. Compliance with social and physical distancing, as well as hygienic and anti-epidemic measures, turns out to be impossible. They communicate daily with staff who care for them and who are in constant contact with the external environment, which inevitably contributes to the spread of the virus in social institutions. CONCLUSION: The pandemic put institutionalized elderly, a very vulnerable population group, at health risk and affected their well-being. The presented results confirmed the need for urgent change of policies in the long-term care and nursing home sector not only in preparation for future pandemics but also for the overall improvement of the quality of care provided.

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COVID-19 大流行期间保加利亚机构养老院的情况

背景：在冠状病毒大流行之初，卫生部门就警告说，最容易感染冠状病毒的人群是 65 岁以上的老人，尤其是住在养老院的老人，因为他们的死亡率正呈指数级增长。因此，在 COVID-19 病毒传播期间，保护生活在社会机构中的老年人是当务之急。研究目的：本研究介绍了保加利亚和国外的调查信息，以及地区、国际社会和卫生组织、政府机构和部门提供的有关 COVID-19 大流行期间保加利亚机构养老情况的数据。材料与方法：通过在 Web of Science、Science Direct、Scopus 和 PubMed 在线数据库中搜索各种法律和科学来源的相关可靠信息，进行了系统性回顾。结果：居住在专门社会机构的保加利亚老年人感染冠状病毒和患病的风险要高得多。他们中的很大一部分人有严重的身体缺陷并伴有慢性病，这使他们瞬间成为大流行病潜在的、快速的和容易的受害者。社会福利院的居民与外界隔绝。他们被迫在公共餐厅用餐，并与另一名住宿者共用个人房间。要他们遵守社会和身体上的隔离以及卫生和防疫措施是不可能的。他们每天与照顾他们的工作人员交流，并与外部环境不断接触，这不可避免地助长了病毒在社会机构中的传播。结论：大流行病使养老机构中的老年人这一非常脆弱的人群面临健康风险，并影响了他们的福祉。研究结果表明，有必要对长期护理和养老院领域的政策进行紧急调整，这不仅是为了应对未来的大流行病，也是为了全面提高护理质量。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences Medicine-Medicine (all)

自引率

0.00%

发文量

1225

期刊介绍： Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (OAMJMS) [formerly known as Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences] is a top-tier open access medical science journal published by the ID Design 2012/DOOEL Skopje, Rajko Zhinzifov No 48, 1000 Skopje, Republic of Macedonia. OAMJMS is an international, modern, general medical journal covering all areas in the medical sciences, from basic studies to large clinical trials and cost-effectiveness analyses. We publish mostly human studies that substantially enhance our understanding of disease epidemiology, etiology, and physiology; the development of prognostic and diagnostic technologies; trials that test the efficacy of specific interventions and those that compare different treatments; and systematic reviews. We aim to promote translation of basic research into clinical investigation, and of clinical evidence into practice. We publish occasional studies in animal models when they report outstanding research findings that are highly clinically relevant. Our audience is the international medical community as well as educators, policy makers, patient advocacy groups, and interested members of the public around the world. OAMJMS is published quarterly online version. The Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences (OAMJMS) publishes Medical Informatics, Basic Science, Clinical Science, Case Report, Brief Communication, Public Health, Public Policy, and Review Article from all fields of medicine and related fields. This journal also publishes, continuously or occasionally, the bibliographies of the members of the Society, medical history, medical publications, thesis abstracts, book reviews, reports on meetings, information on future meetings, important events and dates, and various headings which contribute to the development of the corresponding scientific field.