Routledge Older Adults and COVID-19: Implications for Aging Policy and Practice

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of people throughout the world, either directly, due to exposure to the virus, or indirectly, due to measures taken to mitigate the virus’ effects. Older adults have been particularly hard hit, dying in disproportionately higher numbers, especially in long-term care facilities. Local, regional, and national government actions taken to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 have thus served, in part, to shield older adults from the virus, though not without adverse side effects, including increased social isolation, enhanced economic risk, revealed ageism, delayed medical treatment, and challenges getting basic needs met. This book explores the myriad ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has affected older adults and their families, caregivers, and communities. It proposes policies and strategies for protecting and improving the lives of older people during the pandemic. It draws lessons for aging policy and practice more generally, given underlying challenges brought to the fore by government, provider, community, and individual responses to the pandemic. This book was originally published as a special issue of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy. About the Author Edward Alan Miller is a Professor of Gerontology & Public Policy and Fellow, Gerontology Institute, at the John W. McCormack Graduate School of Policy & Global Studies, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA, and Adjunct Professor of Health Services, Policy & Practice at the School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, USA. His research focuses on understanding the determinants and effects of public policies and practices affecting older adults in need of long-term services and supports. He is author/co-author/editor/co-editor of more than 125 journal articles, 15 book chapters, and 5 books. He is the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Aging & Social Policy, and Fellow within the Gerontological Society of America.