Comprehensive Analysis: COVID-19's Impact on Ageing Population Health

This dissertation investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the health of the ageing population within the context of the NHS. The study aims to explore the effects of the pandemic on the elderly, including the challenges faced and potential solutions. It examines the concept of coronavirus, its effects on the elderly, the role of personal protective equipment, and associated health challenges. The research methodology includes a literature review, research questions, and objectives. The findings, conclusions, and recommendations provide insights into the impact of COVID-19 on this vulnerable population and suggest ways to mitigate the negative effects. The dissertation also includes a detailed structure outlining the chapters and their contents, offering a comprehensive analysis of the topic.

Dissertation

Table of Contents
Title: Impact of Covid-19 on ageing population.......................................................................4
Chapter 1....................................................................................................................................4
Introduction................................................................................................................................4
Overview................................................................................................................................4
Background............................................................................................................................4
Research Aim:........................................................................................................................4
Research Objectives...............................................................................................................5
Research Questions................................................................................................................5
Rationale of study..................................................................................................................5
Significance of study..............................................................................................................5
CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW...................................................................................8
Introduction............................................................................................................................8
To acknowledge the concept of coronavirus..........................................................................8
To identify impact of coronavirus on elderly population.....................................................10
To explore the personal protective equipments for mitigation of influence of coronavirus
on ageing population............................................................................................................12
To identify the effect of COVID-19 and other health challenges associated with ageing...14
CHAPTER 3: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY.....................................................................16
CHAPTER 4: FINDINGS........................................................................................................20
CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................26
RECOMMENDATIONS.........................................................................................................27
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................29

Title: Impact of Covid-19 on ageing population
Chapter 1
Introduction
Overview
Coronavirus (CoV) is large family of viruses that is accountable for causing up illness
that range from common cold to the severe diseases such as SARS-CoV (severe acute
respiratory syndrome) and MERS-CoV (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome). This was
identified in humans previously. COVID-19 is caused due to the ongoing pandemic of
coronavirus. It is often seen that the viruses possessing challenges to public health leading to
various deaths throughout the world. The people who are ageing have faced more effects of
the pandemic due to the low immunity system they have. It is necessary for society to make
sure that they are facing the challenge and making sure that they are well protected from this
virus (Amsalem, Dixon and Neria, 2020). The spread of virus has led to death of more than
five lakh people throughout the world. The cases of Coronavirus till date have also been more
than 12.5 million. It is necessary for the ageing population to make sure that they are
successfully focusing upon their health so that they can take the challenge and tackle better
with the virus. The advance medicine as well as social economic development has also
reduced the mortality rate. It is a communicable disease due to which it becomes necessary
for people to make sure that they are not coming in contact with the patient who is already
suffering from the disease. It is necessary for people to make sure that they are keeping
distance and maintaining proper sanitisation to avoid the effect of coronavirus.
Background
NHS is umbrella term that is being used for publicly funded healthcare system and
they are funded under general taxation from 1948 as major social reform. It is based on the
founding principles that is based on providing people with free, comprehensive and universal
at point when services are being delivered. The organisation aims to treating their each
patient with relevant levels of respect, dignity, compassion and each individual is counted
equal while services are rendered (Cocco and et. al., 2020). Coronavirus is a pandemic
situation that has created a strong impact on the worldwide. The particular segment of society
that is older generation is impacted a lot, thus it becomes important to acknowledge what is
impact on them and how this can be declined in order to have better results.
Research Aim:

The major aim of report is “To investigate the effect of COVID-19 on the health of
ageing population” A Study on NHS. It is also necessary to highlight the increasing number
of diseases which are caused due to age of a person. Along with this various challenges to
healthcare services are also looked upon in the following report. Along with this ways in
which government can help elderly to cope with virus is also an aim of the report.
Research Objectives
 To acknowledge the concept of coronavirus
 To identify impact of coronavirus on the elderly population
 To explore the personal protective equipments for mitigation of influence of
coronavirus on ageing population.
 To investigate the effect of COVID-19 and other health challenges associated with
ageing.
Research Questions
 What is concept of coronavirus?
 What is the impact of coronavirus on the elderly population?
 What are the personal protective equipments for mitigation of influence of
coronavirus on ageing population?
 What is the effect of COVID-19 and other health challenges associated with ageing?
Rationale of study
Covid-19 or coronavirus has created a strong impact on different aspects of the
society and number people have lost their lives because of this virus. Thus, it becomes
important to understand what exactly it is, about the impact that will be created on the health
of ageing people as their immune system is not as strong as other group of people and the
ways in which it can be prevented (Zimmermann and Nkenke, 2020). The rationale is to
acquire precise knowledge through which precautions can be taken in order to protect from
impact of the virus.
Significance of study
The rationale of the study is to explore the impact that is created by the coronavirus
on the ageing group of people so that they can be prevented from the impact that will be
created on their health. In addition to this, knowledge will also be acquired from which an
individual can protect them from getting infected through the use of precautions that will be
illustrated.

Dissertation Structure
The structure of dissertation is imperative that will furnish relevant specifications with
respect to the project and this will further aid within carrying out project in appropriate
manner through which valuable outcome can be generated (Amsalem, Dixon and Neria,
2020). The structure of project is very crucial that will render adequate specification related
with the chapters that are needed to be involved within generation of outcome. The relevant
structure with reference to project that is impact of covid-19 on health of ageing population is
defined below as here all the essential areas that have to be covered are specified:
Chapter 1: Introduction
This denotes beginning as well as acts as central region for examination that will
provide concise identification in context of exploration as foundation and outline. With
reference to this, the clear as well as brief idea related with selected subject has been
provided, associated aim, objectives along with research questions will be clearly specified
for rendering assistance through which project can be completed appropriately. Furthermore,
the rationale for carrying out the project will also be disclosed for deciding rationale behind
implementing undertaking in enhanced manner.
Chapter 2: Literature Review
This implies second phase within the dissertation report that acts as a basic within
creation of hypothetical system that will aid within improvisation of individual
comprehension as per selected study region. The peculiar section of examination comprises
of optional sources such as online websites, books, articles and magazines. This is one of the
most critical aspect associated with the project that will lead to enhancement of recognition of
individual over particular subject through the assistance of relevant sources of the secondary
data.
Chapter 3: Research Methodology
This chapter comes after implementation of literature review, thereby, the choice of
approaches will be viable for management of complete examination in right manner for
drawing in substantial as well as solid outcomes. This part of dissertation comprises of
distinct applications that will involve PICO approach, research strategies, philosophies,
approaches, and sources of data gathering, research instrument, design, data sampling and
many more aspects that will aid within having precise results. Therefore, this acts as
imperative area through which valuable outcomes can be attained in the appropriate way.
Chapter 4: Findings

This is the another crucial segment within the examination as this is based on the
secondary data and according to this, discussions will be made with reference to the
discoveries of exploration. In addition to this, discussion needs to be created with respect to
the literature review and here; the general information will be reflected for producing
adequate results.
Chapter 5: Conclusion and recommendation
It is last part that will furnish the results that have been drawn from the investigation
that is being carried out as well as outcomes will be specified. This acts as significant
territory that will sum up the results within powerful way for speaking findings in adequate
way and accordingly some recommendations will also be furnished.

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW
Introduction
The literature review refers to essential area that must be explored that will further
assist within investigating right direction through the assistance of adequate information. This
is regarded as one of efficacious part of the research project that will aid within carrying out
in-depth research through which final conclusion can be attained in precise manner. The
review will help within description, summary, evaluation as well as clarification of the
literature in the relevant way (Azarpazhooh and et. al, 2020). The section of investigation
comprises of research question where issue of research will be executed in effectual way.
This part of research will be accomplished via collecting information as well as data through
secondary sources like journals, online sites along with books. With reference to this part,
past research project will be considered that is related with similar topic of research plays
critical role within carrying out research in effectual way. For undertaking present research
that is dependent on impact of covid-19 on elderly or ageing population the previous work
will be considered through which the overview can be attained with reference to the
viewpoint of other researcher. The literature review is efficient as well as effective that will
render detailed analysis in identification of opinions of others who possess similar idea
related with the same. Thus, the critical rationale of literature review is to furnish adequate
support through development of theoretical knowledge where relevant study will be
implemented through analysis of aims along with objectives of dissertation (Azarpazhooh
and et. al, 2020). However, this is effective segment of the dissertation that will render
descriptive framework that will aid within exploration of understanding with respect to
peculiar research area.
To acknowledge the concept of coronavirus
According to Daoust, (2020), Coronaviruses implies the family of viruses that leads to
further cause illness like Middle east respiratory syndrome, severe acute respiratory
syndrome and common cold. It is caused via SARS CoV-2 and the first case of this disease
was identified in December 2019 in Wuhan China. From that time, it has spread worldwide
and is ongoing pandemic. The symptoms are variable but generally involves cough, fever,
breathing difficulties, loss of taste and smell. Symptoms can be seen from day 1 to 14 after
the exposure to virus. In addition to this, there are one in five affected people in whom any

kind of symptoms are not developed. Some people have symptom of ARDS (acute
respiratory distress syndrome) which might be precipitated via multi-organ failure, blood
clots, cytokine storms and septic shock. In addition to this, long term damage to some organs
also takes place generally heart and lungs (Balbo, Billari and Melegaro, 2020). It is found that
relevant number of people has been recovered from this virus but still they continue to
experience ample of effects and this is referred to as long COVID and this can be for months
after recovery.
The virus that is accountable for causing spread of COVID-19 is mainly when the
infected person gets closer with other person. Aerosols and small droplets that contains the
virus will spread from mouth and nose of infected person when they sneeze, speak, sing, or
even breathe. The virus might also spread because of contaminated surfaces but this cannot
be regarded as main route for transmission of the virus. In addition to this, the exact route of
the transmission is yet not proved but this is determined that this mainly takes place in case
when people are close or near to each other for longer frame of time. This usually spread as
early in two days before the infected individual that shows up symptoms and even from
individuals who have never experienced any kind of symptoms (Cunha and et. al, 2020). It is
found that individual remain infectious for around 10 days in case of moderate impact and if
the situation is severe than it can go up to a time frame of two weeks. In addition to this,
different testing methods will be developed for carrying out diagnosis of the disease. rRt-PCR
(real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) is standard diagnosis method from
nasopharyngeal swab. Most people that is around 81% will develop mild to moderate
symptoms that can be around mild pneumonia, on the other hand near about 14% will have
severe symptoms such as hypoxis, dyspnea or around more than 50% lung involvement with
respect to imaging. In addition to this, approximately 5% patients also have to go through
critical a symptom that involves shock, multiorgan dysfunction or respiratory failure.
Furthermore, it is determined that some people also do not develop the symptoms at any point
of time which means that the chances of spread from these people are high. They are
asymptomatic carriers who are not even tested as do not go through any kind of problem but
still is corona positive. But it is not sure that other people who get infected from such kind of
people will also not show any kind of symptoms. They might develop symptoms at latter
stage of the time that is referred to as pre-symptomatic or they can even have very mild
symptoms.
This is common with such kind of infections; there is some delay within this which
refers to incubation period among the moment that is a person will get first infected along

with their appearance for the initial symptom (Daoust, 2020). The median incubation time
frame for the coronavirus or COVID-19 is in between four to five days. With reference to this
virus, most of symptomatic people experiences different symptoms depending upon their
immunity and various other aspects along with this certain symptoms this can be one or more
before the twelfth day.
The virus can be destroyed from outside the human body with the usage of household
soap as this will burst the protective bubble. It is considered that the virus have zoonotic
origin and genetic analysis have revealed that it is genetically clustered with genus
Betacoronavirus within the subgenus lineage B (sarbecovirus) altogether with bat derived
strains. The structural proteins that are present within the SARS-CoV2 comprises of
membrane glycoprotein (M), spike protein (S), nucleocapsid protein (N) and envelope protein
(E). Each of them have different range and when silico analysis was carried out, it was
identified that MM protein within SARS-CoV-2 involves triple helix bundle which further
leads to formation of single 3-transmembrane domain (Garcia and et. al, 2020). In addition to
this, it is homologous towards prokaryotic sugar transport protein named as SemiSWEET.
COVID-19 is provisionally or generally diagnosed with respect to the symptoms as
well as confirmed through the usage of RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain
reaction) testing through secretions by infected person. Apart from this, laboratory testing
that comprises CT scans aids within carrying out diagnosis of the person who is having
symptoms of the virus or those who are highly suspicious with reference to the infection. The
prior infection can be detected through serogical tests that are liable for detecting antibodies
that are being produced via body as a response to the infection.
To identify impact of coronavirus on elderly population
According to Cocco and et. al., 2020, it is seen that risk of severe illness which is
caused due to COVID-19 is often increasing with the age and the older adults are at higher
risk of catching the virus. It is also seen that the patient who are having certain medical
condition are in severe illness and risk to catch this virus. The person who is severely ill due
to COVID-19 is required to be hospitalized as soon as possible. The virus has been impacting
the global population in a number of different ways. There are a number of countries in
which the older people are facing more threats and challenges due to this pandemic (García-
Fernández and et. al, 2020). Although the pandemic is equally effective on all the age groups
but the older people are at significant risk as they can easily develop severe illness due to the
physiological changes their body is facing while they grow old. It is often seen that people

who are aged enough have a number of different medical conditions. There are various heart
conditions which are making people vulnerable to the virus. Older people are more likely to
have various underlying conditions which include cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illness,
diabetic and so on. These old age people are more likely to have weaker immunity system as
compare to others. Due to this they can easily catch the infection of coronavirus when
compare to other individuals. It is also seen that according to world health organisation more
than 95% of deaths that have been caused due to Coronavirus are of people who are more
than 60 years of age. Also more than half of all the deaths occur to the people who are of
more than 80 years of age. According to Chinese centres of disease control and prevention
the data have been showing that the fatality rate due to COVID-19 is 3.6% of adults who are
more than 60 years of age while it is 8% and 14.8% in the adults who are of more than 70s
and 80 years of age (Holt and et. al, 2020). The older adults are often seen to have
significantly increased risk of various diseases due to which the infection of COVID-19 can
be easily seen in them. Some of the major countries as Canada, France, Spain, US and New
York have seen that the death occurred due to COVID-19 is more in the older adults as
compare to teenagers and the adults.
As per Gabrielle Martins Van Jaarsveld (2021), it is not clear that what will be the
complete extent of the impact that will be created by pandemic but it is evident that
psychological well-being have pessimistically impacted via COVID-19. The studies have
reported that there has been a significant increase within the people with issues of depression
and anxiety at the time period of extended lockdowns. These effects are magnified with
reference to elderly population as there is higher threat of the illness along with loss for the
social support. In addition to this, prior to the studies there were higher rates of depressive
symptoms within the ageing population which increases with respect to people who are
suffering from any kind of mental health conditions and they will be having adverse impact
on their psychological state. Apart from this, depression within the ageing population is
associated with subsequent cognitive decline which implies that there is higher threat that
mental health concerns will increase and this will further lead to have long-term impact (The
Effects of COVID-19 Among the Elderly Population: A Case for Closing the Digital Divide,
2020). This will be devastating due to the fact that stress as well as depression among older
generation leads to cognitive decline along with increased number of Alzheimer’s diseases.
This problem is further worsen when they are physically restricted in terms of not going out
of their homes, minimised exercises opportunities and minimum social interaction.

The studies illustrates that if any kind of exercise is done even from light to moderate
intensities then this will lead to creation of affirmative influence on the cognitive functioning
of the elderly population (Kashnitsky and Aburto, 2020). This will be generally seen in the
people who have some neuropsychiatric or cognitive impairment disorders. In addition to
this, the work done by other researchers illustrates that lack of socialisation, general mental
health issues and strains along with declined exercise have pessimistic impact on elderly or
ageing population. The fact is that the condition of lockdown is temporary but the impact that
will be created through this factor will be long lasting and this will further lead to pose
relevant risks on the quality of life that will be lived by the ageing population in the
upcoming years (Llibre-Guerra and et. al, 2020). At present scenario, the hospitals
haveCOVID-19 patients and for accessing the healthcare facilities for non-COVID disorders
can be risky. In addition to this, the risk will disproportionately impact elderly who possess
higher rates for health problems with reference to the younger population and even they are
encouraged that they should not visit the areas where they are likeable to have contact with
the virus.
As a response for this problem, the relevant shift has been taken place that involves
digital healthcare. For an instance, telehealth or the act that involves rendering healthcare
remotely as well as digitally have been became common in different countries. The recent
studies have specified that near around 40% of the elderly generation is not open to digital
resources. This is due to the fact that they lack relevant skills for efficaciously tilisation of the
technology. This further illustrates that the people aged n between 20 to 44 have opted to use
telemedicine but the fact is that elderly people have higher number of hospital visits in the
year. Different efforts have been made for creation of virtual geriatric clinics for supporting
elderly while pandemic conditions and this have varying success rate. Along with this the
different problems associated with usage of technology have also been eliminated (Meng and
et. al, 2020). The initiative is made with intent to aid ageing group of people to have
significant healthcare benefits or facilities.
There is a shift to digital realm which has been extended beyond the healthcare
industry. People can have access to almost all the requirements through the usage of digital
mediums so that they can cover the loss of having access to different resources in an effectual
way. But there is ageing group that is least benefited from this shift and the reason behind this
is that they do not know to make use of digital technology which makes them deprived of
essential necessities for the survival (Ng and Gui, 2020). This leads to creation of paradox
which also implies that this segment of the society is adversely impacted because of the

pandemic situation that is COVID-19. They are least likeable to even access resources that
are meant to mitigate the overall impact that will be created by the virus.
To explore the personal protective equipments for mitigation of influence of coronavirus on
ageing population
According to Zimmermann and Nkenke, 2020, During the pandemic of coronavirus
personal protective equipment have been an important subject in order to make sure that
people are avoiding various ways in which they can catch the virus. The following disease is
an airborne disease and the transmission of the disease between people is very easy. The
particles can travel at much longer distance as they are airborne and people have to take a
number of measures in order to make sure that they are avoiding disease. There are a number
of equipment available which can be logically used by people in order to make sure that their
avoiding the disease. Face mask is one of the common equipment used in order to avoid
coronavirus (Perrotta and et. al, 2020). There are a number of different varieties of facemask
present in the market which will help individuals to make sure that they are avoiding coming
in contact with the virus. It is necessary that people are successfully using hyphenation mask
which is enabling them to breathe fresh oxygen and avoid the spread of disease. Along with
this the sanitisation which people are using at various places they visit is one of the major
personal equipment that can help them to avoid the virus. These days in order to make sure
that people or not coming in contact with the virus they keep on sanitising their hands from
time to time. The door knobs, keys, mobile phones, pens, notebooks are various things which
people touch on their daily routine. It is necessary that everyone is successfully sanitising all
these products before their use in order to make sure that they can avoid the spread of virus.
PPE kit, face shield are some of the other personal equipment’s which are used by people
throughout the world during this pandemic in order to avoid the virus.
Healthcare professional who are engaged in the direct care of patient with COVID 19
are equipped with standardised personal protective equipment, considering suits, masks,
gloves, goggles, face shields and gowns. These healthcare professionals get training in the or
regarding the effective use of personal protective equipment and in minimising their exposure
to infection when caring for patients with corona virus issues (Rout, 2020). The practice
protocol also engaged working in pairs to mutually recognise the putting on and taking off of
PPE. When taking off personal protective equipment, healthcare professionals followed the
outside in rule, meaning that the outermost layer of PPE would be taken off first. As per the
view of Bonsall L. (2020), PPE is required where contact arises with patients, residents and