New research from the 黑料老司机 found that older adults throughout Washington are increasingly isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic. They are also challenged by the even greater reliance on technology and they often neglect chronic health conditions.
While senior-services agencies are adapting and innovating to meet the needs of this population, researchers say a lack of consistent funding, coupled with the general uncertainty of the pandemic, could destabilize the care system for the state鈥檚 older adults.
This qualitative study was funded by a UW Population Health Initiative COVID-19 rapid response grant. Its findings draw from interviews with leaders of nearly four dozen organizations around the state during July and August 鈥� just as COVID-19 cases spiked, many lockdown restrictions remained in place, and the social and physical effects of the first few months of quarantines became apparent.