Open AccessEffects of the COVID-19 Outbreak on Elder Mistreatment and Response in New York City: Initial Lessons
Author(s) -
Alyssa Elman,
Risa Breckman,
Sunday Clark,
Elaine Gottesman,
Lisa Rachmuth,
M Reiff,
Jean Callahan,
Laura Russell,
Maureen Curtis,
Joy Solomon,
Deirdre Lok,
Jo Anne Sirey,
Mark S. Lachs,
Sara J. Czaja,
Karl Pillemer,
Tony Rosen
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied gerontology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.857
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1552-4523
pISSN - 0733-4648
DOI - 10.1177/0733464820924853
Subject(s) - pandemic , social distance , covid-19 , outbreak , public health , social isolation , medicine , environmental health , economic growth , criminology , political science , medical emergency , gerontology , psychology , nursing , psychiatry , disease , virology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , pathology , economics
New York City is currently experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19, a highly contagious and potentially deadly virus, which is particularly dangerous for older adults. This pandemic has led to public health policies including social distancing and stay-at-home orders. We explore here the impact of this unique crisis on victims of elder mistreatment and people at risk of victimization. The COVID-19 outbreak has also had a profound impact on the organizations from many sectors that typically respond to protect and serve victims of elder mistreatment. We examine this impact and describe creative solutions developed by these organizations and initial lessons learned in New York City to help inform other communities facing this pandemic and provide guidance for future crises.