Language:
Hebrew
Year of publication:
2022
Titel der Quelle:
ביטחון סוציאלי
Angaben zur Quelle:
118 (תשפג) 13-36
Keywords:
Older people Social conditions
;
COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020-
;
COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020- Government policy
;
Ageism
;
Human rights
Abstract:
Background: The Covid-19 pandemic has severely affected the health of theelderly both worldwide and in Israel. In addition to the health hazards thatprey on the elderly during the coronavirus period, the harm to their mentalwell-being and their basic rights cannot be ignored. Ageism and humanrights abuses of elderly people are negative social phenomena which havebeen exacerbated by Covid-19. This article is based on a report (October2020) by the Israel Institute of Equality and Human Rights (The ZulatInstitute) on the human rights issue of the elderly during the coronaviruspandemic whose authors are among its signatories.Aim: To describe the manifestations of ageism in relation to the elderlyduring the first and second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, based on ahuman rights approach.Method: This was a qualitative study, based on consultation with amultidisciplinary group of independent experts in a joint process – amodified Delphi process – of a structured discussion around an openquestionnaire on the treatment of the elderly in Israel during the first andsecond coronavirus waves. During the discussion, the group focused on threemajor human rights relevant to the elderly at this time: the right to respect,the right to participate in decision making and the right to health.Findings: Government policy regarding the elderly in the first months of theoutbreak of the pandemic was characterized by paternalisticoverprotectiveness, ageism and violation of the human rights of elderlypeople to dignity, participation and health. In both geriatric and protected housing institutions, human rights violations of the residents were due tophysical isolation and prolonged social distancing from their relatives. Evenwithin the community, where 94% of the elderly live in Israel, many cases ofsevere bodily and mental health harm were observed resulting from isolationand exclusion. These vulnerabilities are the result, inter alia, of structuralfailures in the public system to support the elderly in Israel, includingdecentralization of governmental responsibility, chronic shortage ofgeriatric-nursing personnel, and privatization of community services for theelderly. In addition, patronizing and ageist attitudes to the elderly werediscussed, as were their needs and what to do about them.Conclusions and recommendations: Policies that will lead to the eradicationof ageism and the prohibition of age discrimination through legislationshould be promoted, and the rights of the elderly to dignity, participation andhealth should be maintained. In addition, the social standing of the elderlyshould be strengthened, as should responses to the needs of the elderly in thecommunity and geriatric institutions. Information suited to digitalcapabilities and language and cultural groups should be made accessible toencourage open and respectful dialogue with the elderly and their familiesabout their wishes regarding the medical care they receive and where it willbe provided. In this way health and social services for the old in thecommunity can be strengthened.
Note:
With an English abstract.
URL:
אתר את הפרסום בקטלוג המאוחד של ספריות ישראל
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