Are Seniors Feeling More Lonely Than Ever in the Time of Coronavirus

As the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus locked thousands of people in their homes, we all found ourselves in this unusual situation. Many are enjoying it. Finally, we do not have to go to work or classes, we can sleep all day, eat whenever we want, FaceTime our friends all day, etc. But how often do we think about the oldest member of our families? Our grandparents who live alone, neighbors, and everyone else who is going through the quarantine days alone? 

We already know that older adults are at the highest risk right now. Their immune system is not so strong as it used to be, and many of them already have one or more chronic diseases. That is why there is such a high mortality rate among people who are older than 65 years. Due to that, seniors are facing complete lockdown in many countries, relying on their families and volunteers to supply them with groceries and medications.

Seniors and Loneliness

Increased feeling of loneliness was particularly common among seniors even before Coronavirus and social distancing. It is something that comes with age, especially if they are not living with their children or their spouse is deceased. Aging alone is tough when you do not have someone to talk to or drink a coffee together, and laugh. It takes its toll on your mental health and often leads to depression. Even seniors who stay in nursing homes experience some type of loneliness. 

Is Loneliness a Health Threat?

Loneliness is a powerful and persistent feeling. Not being able to go outside to walk and talk to their neighbors, friends, or to see their family for an extended period can be really harmful to their mental health. So, by keeping seniors inside to save them from one pandemic, we are pushing them closer to another type of loneliness. And loneliness usually tends to trigger other problems, for example:

• Depression

• Anxiety 

• Deterioration of cognitive abilities 

• Progress of Alzheimer's disease

• Increased risk of stroke

• Increased risk of premature death

How to Help Seniors Overcome Loneliness 

First of all, you have to explain to seniors why it is essential for them to stay at home. Older adults can be stubborn sometimes, but now is not the time to let them get away with it. Staying at home is the only thing that saves lives, and you need to explain that to them. Another thing is that you need to make sure that they have everything, so they don't need to go out.

Watching news all day can be pretty stressful for them, so you need to find something that will occupy their time. Explain to them that not everything they hear or see online is true because there is a lot of fake news, and it can all be too overwhelming. Bring them weekly newspapers, books, puzzles, movies, anything you think they will enjoy spending their time on. Introduce them to technology a bit because smartphone games can be a great source of fun for them as well. 

Most importantly, talk to them. Talk about the weather, pets, football, your ex, anything, literally anything, they will appreciate it more than everything else. Plus, you will hardly find a better listener who has the experience and gives great advice on any topic, so take advantage of that. Teach them how to do video calls so that you can share some important moments with them. Or send them postcards and letters if they prefer the old school type of staying in touch.

Find the Balance Between Protection and Connection

Right now, seniors' mental and physical health depends on our help. Someone still needs to bring them food and medication, and that can be another way to transfer the virus if we are not cautious enough. If you are helping some of your neighbors or older family members, make sure that you are wearing gloves and a face mask, avoid close contact and leave everything in front of their door. Now it is not the time for visits or face to face conversations. That also means that we need to take care of ourselves because we might be carrying the virus without even knowing.

Loneliness Vs. Coronavirus

It seems that our seniors are fighting against two invisible enemies at the same time. While loneliness might be breaking their hearts, it is at the same time saving their lives from Coronavirus. 

Scientists are working hard on vaccines and COVID-19 antibody tests which led to the creation of testing kits like human coronavirus elisa kits. But so far, no one can tell when the outdoor world might be safe for our seniors again. For seniors, who anyway spend a lot of time at home alone, this is probably the worst thing that could happen. So we all need to do our best to ease these difficult times for them, to support them, and let them know they have somebody who thinks about them.