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Review
. 2021 Apr 14:55:4.
doi: 10.11606/s1518-8787.2021055003082. eCollection 2021.

Ageism against older adults in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Marcela Fernandes Silva  1 , Diego Salvador Muniz da Silva  1 , Aldiane Gomes de Macedo Bacurau  2 , Priscila Maria Stolses Bergamo Francisco  1   2 , Daniela de Assumpção  1 , Anita Liberalesso Neri  1 , Flávia Silva Arbex Borim  1   3
Affiliations
Review

Ageism against older adults in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: an integrative review

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Marcela Fernandes Silva et al. Rev Saude Publica. .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: To report the main results of studies on prejudice, stereotyping, and age-based discrimination (ageism) in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This is an integrative review of the literature on ageism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, conducted between May and June 2020, with data collected from the following databases: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE/PubMed), Web of Science (Thompson Reuters), Scopus (Elsevier Science), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (Lilacs) and Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO).

Results: Twenty-one publications addressing ageism during the pandemics, its origins, consequences, and ethical and political implications were analyzed. All publications were theoretical with a critical/reflexive approach, being 90,5% opinion articles (n = 19) and 9,5% research (n = 2). The main findings indicate criticisms regarding resources allocation and intensive care based exclusively on age. The results also highlight the impacts of social isolation, the use of technologies and social media, and intergenerational relationships within the COVID-19 scenario.

Conclusion: According to most publications, although ageism has always been present, it became more evident during the COVID-19 pandemic as a form of discrimination against older adults. "Ageist" discourses may exert a negative influence in older adults' lives, causing severe social and psychological impacts.

OBJETIVO: Descrever os principais resultados de estudos sobre preconceito, estereotipia e discriminação relacionados à idade (ageismo) no contexto da pandemia da covid-19.

MÉTODOS: Trata-se de uma revisão integrativa da literatura sobre o ageismo no contexto da pandemia da covid-19, realizada entre maio e junho de 2020, a partir das seguintes bases de dados: Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE/PubMed), Web of Science (Thompson Reuters), Scopus (Elsevier Science), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Scientific Eletronic Library Online (SciELO).

RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 21 publicações que discorreram sobre o ageismo durante a pandemia, suas origens, consequências e implicações ético-políticas. As publicações identificadas são de natureza teórica com abordagem crítico-reflexiva, sendo 90,5% artigos opinativos (n = 19) e 9,5% de pesquisa (n = 2). Os principais resultados encontrados apontam críticas em relação à destinação de recursos e cuidados intensivos baseados exclusivamente no critério etário. São também apontados os impactos do isolamento social, o uso das tecnologias e mídias sociais e as relações intergeracionais no cenário da covid-19.

CONCLUSÃO: A maioria das publicações indicam que o ageismo sempre esteve presente, mas tornou-se mais evidente durante a pandemia da covid-19 como forma de discriminação contra idosos. Ressalta-se que discursos “ageistas” podem influenciar negativamente na vida dos idosos e causar impactos sociais e psicológicos prejudiciais.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure
Figure. Flowchart of the selection process for studies included in the systematic review on ageism in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Figura
Figura. Fluxograma do processo de seleção dos estudos para a revisão integrativa sobre ageismo no contexto da pandemia covid-19.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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