Combating Violence against Social Minorities through the Creation of the “Together” Support Network

ARTICLE’S CATEGORY: SCOPH

AUTHOR: Nubia Bethânia Oliveira de Freitas

NMO: IFMSA Brazil

UNIVERSITY: Universidade Anhanguera Uniderp

E-MAIL: [email protected]

AUTHOR: Nicolly Thomas Guimarães 

NMO: IFMSA Brazil

UNIVERSITY: Universidade Anhanguera Uniderp

E-MAIL: [email protected]

AUTHOR: Camila Eduarda Mardegan 

NMO: IFMSA Brazil

UNIVERSITY: Universidade Anhanguera Uniderp

E-MAIL: [email protected]

AUTHOR: Caroline Bazzano da Silva Carvalho

NMO: IFMSA Brazil

UNIVERSITY: Universidade Anhanguera Uniderp

E-MAIL: [email protected]

AUTHOR: Júlia Bacani Chrominski 

NMO: IFMSA Brazil

UNIVERSITY: Universidade Anhanguera Uniderp

E-MAIL: [email protected]

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THE IMPORTANCE OF THE DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CARE FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC TIMES

INTRODUCTION

The first case of new coronavirus was notified in Wuhan, China, on December 31st in 2019 and the pandemic was declared on March 11th, 2020¹. In Brazil, the first case was an elderly person, which was announced on February 26th², and the first Brazillian death was confirmed 20 days later, a 62-year-old man³. Facing that, it is notorious that the elderly have gained more prominence in the pandemic due to new coronavirus -designated Corona Virus Disease-19 (COVID-19)- since this population is the most affected in different spheres, demanding more protection⁴. Under such perspective, IFMSA Brazil Uniderp promoted the lecture “Care for Elderly People in Times of Pandemic”, and this text seeks to analyze this activity’s contribution as a form to assure the comprehension of such a theme that is so important in the current context.

EXPERIENCE REPORT

The activity happened on June 4th in 2020, through the Free Conference Call platform, and was conducted by a doctor, a neurologist with clinical experience in elderly care and patients infected by COVID-19. The target public was academics and professionals in the health field, counting with 392 subscribers in different regions of the country. The speaker highlighted the vulnerability of the elderly, emphasizing the distinct COVID-19 manifestations, the association with comorbidities, and the care required by patients with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s, as well as the attention that must be given at the domiciliar scope, emphasizing the psycho-emotional issue related to isolation. In the end, there was space to clarify doubts, and the participants filled the impact assessment questionnaire. 

REFLECTION

 COVID-19 has caused great changes in everyone’s routine, especially the elderly since this isolation period affects a variety of activities that involve motor and cognitive stimulation⁵, mostly to patients with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as their development in the social context. Connected to that, it is significant to highlight the document launched by the United Nations (UN) at the beginning of May 2020, with recommendations to protect the elderly during pandemics and the importance of technology to keep in contact with them during social isolation. It is also recommended that all social, economic, and humanitarian alternatives must consider the needs of the elderly, from universal health coverage to social protection and guarantee of their rights⁶. Therefore, it is notorious that the care for the elderly goes beyond medical attendance, and extends to different areas of their lives. However, despite the UN recommendations, there is limited discussion about the subject in matter. 

CONCLUSION

Through the discussion above, it is possible to conclude that it is essential to learn how to deal with the complexity and to comprehend the elderly vulnerability facing the current scenario since pandemics imply significant changes in their routine and affect their well-being directly.Thus, the performance of activities of this informative nature is extremely relevant to support the care for the elderly at the current time, as they help to protect them during the pandemic, highlighting the need for further promotion of the recommendations brought by UN. 

REFERENCES

1- World Health Organization (WHO). Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) technical guidance, 2020. [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2020 [access in 23 jun 2020]. Available in: https://www.who.int/emergencies/ diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019.

2- Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico. Situação epidemiológica da febre amarela no monitoramento 2019/2020. [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2020. [acesso em 23 jun 2020]. Available in : https://www.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2020/janeiro/15/ Boletim-epidemiologico-SVS-01.pdf.

3- Ministério da Saúde (BR). Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Boletim Epidemiológico. Infecção Humana pelo Novo Coronavírus (2019-nCoV). [Internet]. Brasília: Ministério da Saúde; 2020. [access in 24 jun 2020]. Available in: https://www.saude.gov.br/images/pdf/2020/fevereiro/04/Boletim-epidemiologicoSVS-04fev20.pdf.

4- Nações Unidas Brasil. Especialista da ONU pede melhor proteção para idosos na pandemia do novo coronavírus. 09 abr 2020. [access in: 23 jun 2020]. Available in: https://nacoesunidas.org/especialista-da-onu-pede-melhor-protecao-para-idosos-na-pandemia-do-novo-coronavirus/

5- AS CONTRIBUIÇÕES E OS BENEFÍCIOS DAS ATIVIDADES DE ESTIMULAÇÃO COGNITIVA E MOTORA (ECM) EM IDOSOS.2015. 44p. Monografia como exigência parcial para obtenção do grau de especialista em psicomotricidade- AVM faculdade integrada, Universidade Cândido Mendes, Rio de Janeiro, 2015.

6- Nações Unidas Brasil. ONU lança documento com recomendações para proteger idosos durante pandemia. 01 mai 2020. [access in : 23 jun 2020]. Available in: https://nacoesunidas.org/onu-lanca-documento-com-recomendacoes-para-proteger-idosos-durante-pandemia/