A DANGEROUS SIDE EFFECT OF COVID 19 FOR THE ELDERLY IS LONELINESS
The Coronavirus presents a severe health risk for those over 60 years of age and it gets even more severe for those 70 and 80 years old. Seniors and their families must be extremely cautious about exposure, and follow social distancing protocols to stay safe. Social distancing means staying home and staying physically apart from other people as the best way to prevent the spread of disease. But it can also mean cutting oneself off from family, friends and the community.
The Coronavirus pandemic is stressful for us all. Fear and anxiety about the disease and its widespread effects are stressful no matter what your age, but especially so for the elderly’s emotional health. The New York Times reported that: “It is a terrible irony of the virus that, for older adults, steps to prevent the spread of Covid-19 increase the risks of social isolation, which carries its own devastating health effects.”
Grief has many stages: denial, anger, depression, and acceptance. We are grieving for lost celebrations, graduations, birthday parties, hugs, handshakes, and eating meals together. Look for manifestation of grief and these symptoms of stress during this infectious disease outbreak which can include:
- Overwhelming feelings and emotions of sadness, depression, anxiety leading to withdrawal.
- Changes in sleep habits or eating patterns.
- Difficulty concentrating, completing tasks attending to daily activities.
- Worsening of chronic health problems.
- Worsening of mental health conditions.
- Increased use of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs.
Here are some actions to take to protect yours and your senior’s emotional health while remaining socially separate:
- Limit watching, reading, scrolling through social media or listening to pandemic news stories. Constantly hearing about the mounting numbers of the sick and dead due to the pandemic can be distressing. Instead watch all those movies you missed or binge watch shows you never got to see.
- Take care of the body to also take care of the mind:
- Practice relaxation techniques, take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
- Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
- Exercise regularly even though the gym is closed, or do chair yoga in the home.
- Get plenty of sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs.
- Make time to unwind and partake of activities you enjoy like sitting outside reading in the yard or on your terrace. Baking, knitting, puzzles, scrabble. Go for a walk if you can but maintain your distance even outdoors. Listen to music, audio books or popular podcasts.
- Connect with children, grandchildren, family members and friends even though separated. Call, text or FaceTime. Don’t be afraid to talk about what you are feeling.
Practical tips to share with loved ones about coping during the crisis:
- Have groceries delivered or shop during hours reserved for the elderly
- Meals can also be ordered and delivered, or use curbside pickup
- Order any outstanding prescriptions you are running low on, and have them delivered. If you must pick them, up use a drive up window.
- Medical supplies can be ordered online and delivered if necessary
- Inquire about keeping appropriate healthcare appointments thru telemedicine rather than in person.
- Urge your loved one to contact their doctor if stress gets in the way of their daily activities for several days in a row.
Want something REALLY COOL to do with a loved one while quarantine-ing? Check out this list of virtual tours and exercise classes, and entertainment to stream or download, it got everything from Broadway shows to museums and zoos and more: https://www.myeldersource.org/cool-stuff-to-do-while-social-distancing/
There are many ways to show your loved one that you are still thinking of them even if you are not able to be together right now for their own protection.
Reach Out To Us: Need peace of mind? Your loved one might benefit from home care or companion care during the pandemic. Our caregivers are trained in the proper protocols to prevent transmission of the Coronavirus, and can help ease the stress and loneliness that comes from social distancing. We will shop, cook, manage meds and do the necessary disinfecting of high touch surfaces needed in the home. In addition, our caregivers can help prevent falls to keep your loved one out of the hospital, which is a high risk environment at this time. If you need help at home or someone to check on a loved one, help is just a phone call away at 561-328-7611.
Till Next Time!
Irv Seldin, JD, President and Owner, Visiting Angels of the Palm Beaches
This article is not intended as medical advice.