TY - JOUR
T1 - Responding to Covid-19
T2 - an analysis of position statements of gerontological societies worldwide
AU - Emmer De Albuquerque Green, Caroline
AU - Scharf, Thomas
AU - Kessler, Eva‑Marie
N1 - Funding Information:
CEDAG is supported by the National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South London (NIHR ARC South London) at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the funders.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2022, The Author(s).
PY - 2022/4/18
Y1 - 2022/4/18
N2 - The Covid-19 pandemic, with its adverse implications for older adults, has generated unprecedented public interest in issues around age and ageing globally. We systematically investigated the responses of national gerontological and geriatric societies (NGGS) to emerging challenges during the first wave of the pandemic. Framed within traditional research topics in gerontology, the aim was to identify the spectrum of focal points and positions directed towards governments, policy makers, researchers and society. A comprehensive, two-phased data collection strategy generated N = 22 position statements of NGGS affiliated to the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Using Ayalon et al. (J Gerontol Ser B, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa066) thematic categorisation of gerontological research, we applied quantitative and qualitative content analysis to analyse “calls for action” within the statements. The content of NGGS’ position statements show a high level of agreement on the salient topics during the first wave of the pandemic and reveal shared values such as equality, diversity and inclusion of older adults and the discipline of gerontology to be an applied one with relevance to policy and practice. The results can support future interdisciplinary research in gerontology post Covid-19 based on a vision to contribute to a society of all ages.
AB - The Covid-19 pandemic, with its adverse implications for older adults, has generated unprecedented public interest in issues around age and ageing globally. We systematically investigated the responses of national gerontological and geriatric societies (NGGS) to emerging challenges during the first wave of the pandemic. Framed within traditional research topics in gerontology, the aim was to identify the spectrum of focal points and positions directed towards governments, policy makers, researchers and society. A comprehensive, two-phased data collection strategy generated N = 22 position statements of NGGS affiliated to the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics. Using Ayalon et al. (J Gerontol Ser B, 2020. https://doi.org/10.1093/geronb/gbaa066) thematic categorisation of gerontological research, we applied quantitative and qualitative content analysis to analyse “calls for action” within the statements. The content of NGGS’ position statements show a high level of agreement on the salient topics during the first wave of the pandemic and reveal shared values such as equality, diversity and inclusion of older adults and the discipline of gerontology to be an applied one with relevance to policy and practice. The results can support future interdisciplinary research in gerontology post Covid-19 based on a vision to contribute to a society of all ages.
KW - Social gerontology
KW - Research
KW - equality and inclusion
KW - long-term care
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85128305724&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10433-022-00700-7
DO - 10.1007/s10433-022-00700-7
M3 - Article
SN - 1613-9380
VL - 19
SP - 1229
EP - 1241
JO - European Journal of Ageing
JF - European Journal of Ageing
IS - 4
ER -