“I like staying alone but I usually have house help and people coming in to visit me. But during this COVID pandemic, things have changed. I feel lonely and I am always anxious because of this Corona scare and managing daily chores is getting unbearable for my old body”, says a 77-year-old Mrs D’Souza. 

Coronavirus is widely affecting senior citizens, not just physically given their diminished stamina and weakened immune systems, but also mentally because now they have limited resources to counter feelings of loneliness and depression. They do not have access to their inner circle of friends to vent out their frustration anymore either. They are not able to go out for walks, sit around with friends, play a game of poker at the local club, share a drink while discussing the news of the day, play with their grandchildren, travel to where the children stay or joke about their by gone days. Held up inside the house, they are lonely, worried, anxious, and bordering on depression--having been gridlocked in order to maintain social distancing. 

A study shows that the older citizens view television as a medium to cope with depressive symptoms and with the hope of some kind of engagement. But, that is just a cover-up for deeper negative feelings and not really a solution.

As is watching too much news, further exacerbates their anxiety. These situations of isolation and mobility challenges in seniors are directly linked to increased depression resulting in more instances of angry outbursts, irritations and continuous anxiety. 

 Understanding the problems that seniors might have to face apart from the existing health concern is also important during the pandemic. Social isolation, constant worry, physical incapability, negative mental thoughts are some issues they are struggling with.

- It is suggested that you should keep your seniors away from the disheartening and depressing news as much as possible. Updating them once in a while is okay but not hourly.

- Try introducing them to social media and online networking. This way they can interact with their peers, grandchildren and people they are close to over video and phone calls

- Check up on them whenever possible. It is understood that the pandemic has hit everyone with work, unemployment and other problems. By checking up on the seniors once or twice a the day will make them look forward to something pleasant. 

- Book groceries or deliveries for them. It might get difficult as well as scary for seniors to get out of the house.

-Normalise things for them as far as possible which includes having conversations on topics besides corona.