Five Years Since the Global Pandemic that Shaped the Lives of Older People – We’ve Learned A Lot, Yet There is a Long Way to Go.

By Gregor Sneddon (Secretary General, IFA), Alyssa Brierley (Executive Director, NIA)

Five years have passed since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global pandemic, a once in a generation event that touched every person globally, and which has directly and indirectly shaped societies, politics, economies and health systems. In light of the National Day of Observance for COVID-19, the International Federation on Ageing, the National Institute on Ageing, the Health Coalition of Alberta calls on Canadians to reflect on the outsized impact of the pandemic on older people, compile lessons learned but also consider the way forward to continue combatting COVID-19 and protecting the lives of older people.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the pre-existing inequalities and systemic disparities that many older individuals face, such as inadequate healthcare, ageism, and lack of social support. Over 60,000 Canadians have lost their lives due to COVID-19, with the majority of deaths and hospitalizations occurring in those over 60 years of age.  

Beyond morbidity and mortality, the COVID-19 pandemic also forced many older people to be confined to their homes, causing an epidemic of loneliness which has equally devastating effects on physical and mental health. Older adults were the subject of online abuse and devaluing societal discourse, which questioned the need to protect their health through lockdown and social distancing measures.  

March 11 is the National Day of Observance for COVID-19, a day to acknowledge the devastating impact of the pandemic on the lives of Canadians and honour and remember all those who experienced sickness, loss of life, and suffering due to COVID-19, including those that continue to be significantly impacted by the virus.

Reflecting on the last 5 years, we must reckon with a tough question – what have we done to ensure the rights, dignity, health and quality of life of older adults? Protecting the human rights of older people is not just a moral imperative but a societal necessity, as we all are growing older.

“How is it that we accept that some human beings have more value than others – when during the life course is a person more worthy of human dignity? Hidden within this tragedy is the opportunity to take accountability, to repair, to change, and recreate a Canada for all ages,” said Mr. Gregor Sneddon, Secretary General at the International Federation on Ageing.

Ageism defined as stereotypes (how we think), prejudice (how we feel) and discrimination (how we act) towards others or oneself based on age, permeates many aspects of society including institutional policies such as the investment in prevention, appropriate care or social support for older people, which enables them to live in health and well-being.

While many think COVID-19 is over, there continues to be cases every year which, in combination with other seasonal respiratory diseases, threaten to overburden health systems. In Canada, this respiratory disease season alone, a total of 100,339 COVID-19 detections were reported, with individuals 65 years of age and older accounting for 93% of deaths and for most hospital admissions. Vaccines have been a life-saving intervention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, the safety, efficacy and value of vaccination is in question.

While older and at-risk adults were prioritized during the initial COVID-19 vaccination roll-out, there continues to be lack of investment, awareness and access to adult vaccination. Efforts must be made to ensure that vaccines are accessible, affordable, and distributed equitably, with a focus on reaching those who are most vulnerable.

“The pandemic was a stark reminder of the systemic inequities older Canadians face—from gaps in health care access to the devastating impacts of social isolation. While we have made progress in strengthening protections for older people, there is still work to be done. The persistent burden of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses underscores the need for equitable access to adult vaccinations. As we reflect on the past five years, we must commit to building a society that values, protects, and supports older adults—not just in times of crisis, but every day,” said Alyssa Brierley, Executive Director of the National Institute on Ageing (NIA).

As we observe this day, let us honour the resilience and contributions of older people. Let us commit to creating a society that values and protects its older members, ensuring that their rights are upheld and their needs are met.