The Age Factor in COVID-19 Outcomes

We are told COVID-19 is more dangerous for seniors but as with most things nothing is absolute and there have been inspiring stories about very elderly Americans beating the disease.  One of those people is William “Bill” Lapshies, who at 104 years old contracted the disease in early March and on April 1st was declared virus-free.  

Doctors are seeking answers to why some people are asymptomatic or experience a milder form of the disease, while others do not, and want to learn more about what makes some more vulnerable.  One answer may be that as we age, our immune system functions decline, a process that the medical field refers to as immunosenescence.  

Insoo Kang, M.D., associate professor of medicine and director of allergy, immunology and internal medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, states that, “Immune cells, especially CD8+ T cells [a type of white blood cell], change with aging. We see fewer naive CD8+ T cells, which are needed to recognize newly emerging microorganisms like the COVID-19 virus. It happens to everyone on some level, just not at the same rate."

Doctors hope by better understanding why our immune system declines with age, they may be able to find ways to slow the decline and raise people’s immune reserves for the next illness they may encounter.  In addition, research suggests there are steps we can take to strengthening our own immune system and include exercising, eating well, managing our weigh, controlling stress levels and getting vaccinations.  Atul Butte, M.D., distinguished professor of epidemiology, biostatistics and pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, feels sure that “the COVID-19 pandemic will, in the end, teach us more about our health vulnerabilities — individually and as an aging population.”

MorningStar at Arcadia proudly provides the very best in Phoenix assisted living and memory care with our unique mission statement of “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about our exceptional community.

Source: 

aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-2020/coronavirus-immunity-age-risk.html?intcmp=AE-HP-TTN-R2-POS4-REALPOSS-TODAY