[Viewpoint] Elderly People in the COVID-19 Era

The aftermath of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), which began earlier this year, shows no signs of subsiding. As South Korea enters winter and the daily number of confirmed cases increases sharply, I find myself thinking, "Now COVID-19 is coming closer to me as well."

During the cold winter months, obituaries are frequently encountered. My mother also passed away recently. My 91-year-old mother underwent surgery due to a fall and was receiving rehabilitation treatment at a nursing hospital, where she was effectively isolated due to the COVID-19 situation. At first, she often talked on the phone and was more concerned about the health of her children outside, but as family visits were prohibited, she gradually spoke less and often did not answer calls. Living in a completely isolated environment, my mother rapidly weakened both emotionally and physically, and eventually passed away. Her death made me reflect once again on the lives of the elderly in the COVID-19 era.

Looking at domestic statistics related to COVID-19 infections, the majority of confirmed cases are in their 20s (27.75%) and 50s (17.92%), while those in their 70s (6.5%) and 80 and above (4.47%) are fewer. However, the death rate among those aged 70 and above accounts for 77.42% of total deaths. The case fatality rate?the ratio of deaths to confirmed cases?is almost negligible among younger generations but high among those in their 70s (10.81%) and 80 and above (25.51%). Elderly people often have various underlying health conditions, so when infected with COVID-19, the disease can rapidly progress to a severe stage, leading to a high risk of death. There have been numerous cases of elderly individuals who have difficulty with daily activities and mobility becoming infected in nursing facilities or through facility staff.

Furthermore, large hospitals, nursing hospitals, and nursing homes where elderly people receive treatment and care have proven to be highly vulnerable to cluster infections. In response, these facilities have adopted a closed approach, allowing only healthcare providers such as doctors, nurses, nursing assistants, and caregivers to enter. While these measures prevent COVID-19 infections, isolated elderly individuals become cut off from interactions with their beloved family members, relatives, and friends, which can potentially lead to death.

As social distancing periods have lengthened due to the spread of COVID-19, more than half of adult men and women reportedly experience 'COVID blues,' a phenomenon leading to depression and lethargy. The main reasons for feelings of depression and anxiety are cited as 'isolation, frustration due to refraining from going out, and boredom.' While more than half of the younger generation experience feelings of isolation and loneliness, the severity is even greater among the elderly. Nursing facilities focus on prohibiting contact with outsiders, making emotional isolation the most difficult aspect for the elderly during COVID-19. With visits, volunteer activities, lectures, and external programs all banned, elderly residents have become like captives. The only people they can interact with are caregivers, resulting in extreme loneliness and a sense of loss due to the lack of external stimulation. Considering that even before the COVID-19 outbreak, solitary deaths accounted for a significant proportion of elderly deaths, it is presumed that not only has the number of elderly deaths due to COVID-19 infection increased, but deaths caused by social and psychological isolation have also risen.

Korean elderly, especially those aged 80 and above, belong to a generation that endured the Japanese colonial period, the Pacific War, and the Korean War, experiencing the pain of a nation without a country, war, and political and social turmoil. They laid the foundation for miraculous economic growth and democratization. It is a sad thought that isolating the elderly in the new normal era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, hastened by COVID-19, might be recreating a modern-day Goryeo Jang (a historical practice of abandoning the elderly). While isolation to prevent infection is important, we must not neglect communication to the extent that the precious experience and wisdom of the elderly vanish in vain.

Cho Hee-jin, Representative Attorney, Law Firm Dambak

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.