COVID19 - protecting older people

Dear Orsolya and all,

Thank you very much for sharing this important information. On behalf of the SGA, I would like to build on your email and share some information and advice on how to protect older people in this pandemic, as they are disproportionately affected and face similar challenges as persons with disabilities. While we are all at risk of having COVID-19, unfortunately the risk of complications and death rate from the virus grows with age.

Everyone should enjoy their right to health and care services on an equal basis with everyone else, without discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender or any other characteristic.

HelpAge International has prepared some guidance on COVID-19 to ensure older people are protected and included in responses to this crisis:

• Guidance and advice for older people on COVID-19 (also available in English, Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Bangla as well as in accessible formats)
• Guidelines for care homes (also available in Arabic, Russian, Spanish, Farsi, Thai)
• Advice on protecting older people in LMIC and humanitarian settings
• Recommendation to governments on protecting older people in this pandemic (full briefing attached), including to:

• Uphold the principles of equality and non-discrimination
• Make public health information accessible and relevant to all
• Ensure equitable access to prevention and support in all settings
• Provide equitable access to social protection and services
• Recognise the risk to older people in conflict and displacement settings and provide support regardless of legal status
• Explicitly allocate funding to those most at risk in all settings
• Stand in solidarity with the international community
• Build a fairer future for older people

HelpAge has a dedicated COVID page with further resources and information on protecting older people: 

Thanks very much and please do get in touch if you would like to know more.

Very best wishes and keep safe everyone,

Mariana