Page 37 - GHES-2-4

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Think of a similar situation in the future

measurement, blood glucose, and vaccinations, which
could be especially relevant during a pandemic (Kirkwood
& Riegelman, 2011; Laanan, 2003).

Continuing education for health professionals: Senior
universities can offer continuing education courses for
health professionals working with older adults. These
courses can include updates on best practices in caring
for older adults and discoveries in the field of gerontology,
which could be important during a pandemic (Bolante &
Dykeman, 2015; Kirkwood & Riegelman, 2011).
4. Strengths and limitations

During the pandemic, older adults were found to be
particularly vulnerable to depression. This paper reflects
Figure 1. Responses during a future pandemic (created using Microsoft on how public health measures could be developed to
PowerPoint) prevent depression in older adults during a pandemic. As
this paper is not a systeatic review, it provides suggestions
from the authors’ perspective, which can be seen as its
the education system/senior universities can significantly limitation.
benefit both parties and, most importantly, the final
beneficiaries, that is, older adults (Dobransky-Fasiska 5. Conclusion
et al., 2010; Wagner et al., 2022).
Only a few proposals have aimed at minimizing the impact
There are already some interesting prospects that need of a future pandemic on the development of depressive
to be developed: symptoms in older adults.
Health promotion programs: Senior universities can Defining health policies will need to not only involve the
collaborate with the health system to develop health health institutions themselves but also seek partnerships
promotion programs aimed at older adults, which can with the education system/senior universities and
include workshops on healthy diets, physical exercise implement shared decision-making with citizens/patients.
suitable for seniors, fall prevention, mental healthcare,
and other issues related to a pandemic (Dobransky- Acknowledgments
Fasiska et al., 2010).
None.
Caregiver training: As family members of older adults
are generally the primary caregivers, they can benefit Funding
from training programs offered by senior universities in
collaboration with the health system. These programs can None.
include information on how to deal with specific medical Conflict of interest
conditions, medication administration, hygiene care, and
the role of caregivers during a pandemic (Brunet et al., The authors declare they have no competing interests.
2021; Kuo et al., 2017). Author contributions
Research and development: Senior universities,
partnered with health institutions, can be involved in Conceptualization: Celso Silva
research projects to study issues relevant to the older Writing – original draft: Celso Silva, Mónica Tomaz
population. Such projects can include research on the Writing – review & editing: Mónica Tomaz, Liliana Sousa,
impact of certain health conditions on the quality of Rogério Ferreira, César Fonseca
life of older adults and the evaluation of intervention
programs (Dikhtyar et al., 2021; Manheimer & Moskow‐ Ethics approval and consent to participate
McKenzie, 1995). Not applicable.
Health services: Senior universities can offer spaces for Consent for publication
temporary or permanent health clinics, where older adults
can receive basic medical care, such as blood pressure Not applicable.

Volume 2 Issue 4 (2024) 4 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.3193