COVID-19: ACUTE TREATMENT, LONG COVID, AND THE PANDEMIC EXPERIENCE OF OLDER ADULTS

Moderator: Kenneth Schmader, MD 
COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to older adults, causing a disproportionate amount of disability and death.   Professional practice gaps and knowledge needs regarding COVID-19 in older adults include the benefits and limitations of different treatment approaches for acute SAR-CoV-2 infection, identifying and managing post-acute (long) COVID-19 in older adults, and addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic experience on the quality of life of older persons and their loved ones. Learning Objectives: (1)  review use of antiviral, monoclonal antibodies, corticosteroids and other treatments for acute infection in older adults outside the hospital setting; (2) identify the clinical manifestations and impact of post-acute (long) COVID-19 in older adults and demonstrate approaches to management of this syndrome, including models of care; (3) review the recent data on pandemic-related psychosocial health outcomes among older adults and potential downstream health effects; and (4) identify factors that impacted pandemic experiences, including inequities by race/ethnicity, living situation, and experiences of serious illness and apply a framework for assessing and addressing pandemic-related psychosocial needs, including persistent loneliness and social isolation.