ABSTRACT
In the US, and across the globe, humans are practicing “social distancing” to protect themselves and others from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, social distancing has brought adverse side effects such as social isolation. Particularly, older adults are more vulnerable to this pandemic because they are experiencing extreme loss of physical, social, and psychological interaction, which is essential for their health and well-being, as well as they are at higher risk of morbidity and mortality from COVID-19. Services are intended to reduce hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition, promote socialization, and delay the onset of adverse health conditions with special focus on low-income older adults, minority older adults, those in rural communities, with limited English proficiency, and seniors at risk of institutional care. As America’s population is becoming more diverse, how society and service agencies prepare for the increasing needs of diverse older adults is a big concern in gerontological social work.
