COVER STORY
A shot of Seniors find comfort amid vaccine confusion
hope
By Alan M. Schlein
S
ince the pandemic began a year ago, every aspect of American life has suffered. Older folks are worried about sudden illness and death. Even family gatherings and trips to the pharmacy or grocery store are no longer routine. Seniors in particular are struggling to figure out what’s going on. Sorting through the onslaught of overwhelming coronavirus coverage and constantly changing information is challenging, especially when trying to decide what really matters.
THE DIGITAL DIVIDE Glitchy websites, misinformation, jammed phone lines and long lines outside of clinics make trying to
obtain the lifesaving vaccine feel more like trying to win the lottery or score tickets to a concert. Even for seniors who are eligible to get the vaccine—those age 70 and older in many Colorado counties—arranging to get the vaccine is often a greater ordeal than actually getting the shot. Some seniors are unable to
make vaccine appointments because of insufficient computer skills—if they even have online access at all. Newly analyzed data from the National Poll on Healthy Aging finds that nearly half (45 percent) of individuals between the ages of 65 and 80 said they had not set up an account with their health provider’s online portal system. And it’s not just seniors—42 percent of adults between the ages of 50 and 80 hadn’t either. This digital divide can have life and death implications. Luckily, many seniors have family members or caregivers to assist them in searching for online information. But a growing number of older Americans are on their own. Many states’ websites are a nightmare to navigate to find the needed information. However,
some counties have set up easy online registration forms that will notify people via text, phone call or email when a vaccine is available. Health departments are trying to hire more staff to handle vaccination hotlines and are specifically targeting seniors with help in the online sign-up process. But this costs money, and states are eagerly waiting for those dollars, which hopefully will come with the next stimulus package.
THE NATION’S RESPONSE With the nation moving toward 500,000 deaths, the struggle to keep up with the demand for the new coronavirus vaccine continues, and likely will well into summer. Additionally, health care professionals are navigating supply shortages and struggling to find qualified personnel to administer the vaccine.
Does it
hurt? Seniors share their COVID-19 vaccination experiences 8 | COVER STORY | MARCH 2021 |
Ken Siefken, 72
Jane Siefken, 71
Judy & Gary Edmonds, 77 & 80
“The shot is less painful than the flu shot. It’s hardly noticeable. A lot of people have gotten the first and second shots by now. The effects have been pretty consistent.”
“This was our second shot. After the first, we had a sore arm for a day—that’s it.”
“We registered online and got a response within a week. It took a bit of trial and error, but it worked.”
Reason for getting it
Reason for getting it
WWW.BEACONSENIORNEWS.COM
“We want to get back to normal.”
“We wouldn’t have thought not to! We don’t think we have anything to lose.”
