To Paxlovid or Not?
Who benefits from the Covid antiviral drug Paxlovid, and how does it work? Pam and Jon (who wish to remain anonymous for this story) are two former Chicagoans living in southern California. They took great care during the pandemic not to catch Covid-19. They masked, attended outdoor events only, and took all recommended shots and […]
Changing Mask Mandates
Older adults navigate pandemic restrictions, balancing safety with socialization When Illinois officials lifted pandemic mask mandates in February, Linda Balla, who is fully vaccinated, gave considerable thought as to whether to wear a mask. At 72, she is in a high-risk age group for complications from Covid-19. Ever since Covid-19 restrictions loosened — and now […]
As Covid Slogs On, Seniors Find Fortitude Waning and Malaise Growing
Late one night in January, Jonathan Coffino, 78, turned to his wife as they sat in bed. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this,” he said, glumly. Coffino was referring to the caution that’s come to define his life during the Covid-19 pandemic. After two years of mostly staying at home and […]
At Nursing Homes, Long Waits for Results Render Covid Tests ‘Useless’
More nursing homes are waiting longer for Covid-19 test results for residents and staffers, according to federal data, making the fight against record numbers of omicron cases even harder. The double whammy of slower turnaround times for lab-based PCR tests and a shortage of rapid antigen tests has strained facilities where quickly identifying infections is […]
Another Virus to Worry About
Covid-19 gets the headlines, but RSV can cause problems for older adults, too Older adults have plenty to worry about with Covid-19. Even those who are fully vaccinated remain at some risk for severe symptoms. But now they can add another worrisome virus to their list: respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). A common virus, RSV is […]
Scientists Investigate Covid-19 and Risk of Dementia
At the newly opened Covid-19 neurology clinic at Loyola Medicine, doctors treat people suffering from chronic fatigue, headaches, impaired sense of smell and or taste, memory loss, troubles with other mental skills, and brain fog. Some people report having trouble concentrating; others can’t sleep. The symptoms are just a few of the common neurological and cognitive issues that people […]
Older Adults Can Get the Covid-19 Vaccine Now – If They Find Elusive Doses
When Illinois began rolling out Covid-19 vaccines to healthcare workers on December 15, many – especially the state’s seniors — were hopeful that they could soon get the vaccine, too. A month and a half later, that date is finally here. The state moved from phase 1a to 1b of Covid-19 vaccinations January 25. Those […]
When Pandemonium Strikes
Senior residential communities face pandemic’s tough lessons At this time last year, family members could pop in at any time to see their loved ones living in a senior residential community. They could relax, catch up, and enjoy a meal together. That feels like a distant world now — and at this point, nobody knows […]
I Found My Secret to Feeling Younger and Stronger. The Pandemic Stole It Away.
Back in early January, before Covid-19 was as familiar as the furniture, I went in for my annual physical. My doctor looked at my test results and shook his head. Virtually everything was perfect. My cholesterol was down. So was my weight. My blood pressure was that of a swimmer. A barrage of blood tests […]
What Seniors Can Expect When Covid Vaccines Roll Out
The first candidates, from Pfizer and Moderna, could arrive before Christmas, according to Alex Azar, who heads the Department of Health and Human Services. Both vaccines are notably effective in preventing illness due to the coronavirus, according to information released by the companies, although much of the data from clinical trials is still to come. […]