COVID outbreak hasn’t only threatened the physical wellbeing of the seniors but also their mental peace and stability. According to a recent research, about a third of seniors, in the age bracket of 50-80 feel lonely during the pandemic and acutely feel the lack of companionship. Before the pandemic, fortunately, these feelings of loneliness and its adverse effects were dealt with in an organized manner through support groups and communities. 

The self-help and support groups let the seniors open up and feel that they are not alone in their journey of stress and pain. Started by like minded people most of these groups had activities planned for the day and even guest lecturers coming in for some counselling sessions thereby providing seniors with the hope that they can change this cycle of loneliness and depression and live a life of health and happiness. 

But the social isolation and distancing norms of the pandemic is threatening to take away this glimmer of hope from the lives of aging people once again. Most groups are not functioning these days since crowds or even one-on-one interaction with the support group people have been discouraged. “I used to go to my local club every evening during the senior member hours. There, we were a group of around 80 people who used to gather together--we used to play cards, or watch a movie, or dance on old Bollywood songs, or listen to life coaches, share our experiences...a variety of things that used to occupy atleast 2-3 hours everyday of our lives and now all that is gone. I am cooped up inside the house with nothing to do...I miss my club. My children and grandchildren are busy with their lives and except for half and hour or so, no one has more time to spare. I appreciate their efforts but my group was mine. I wish those days would come back soon,” complains Indu Mittal, a resident of Varanasi.

The pandemic seems to have brought back all those feelings of isolation in the elderly once again. These norms  are also leading to cognitive decline, depression, heart disease, high blood pressure and other ailments in aging people because of a constant sense of anxiety and fear, lack of physical activities, and a weakening of the immune system.

If the seniors in your family are facing similar low times, try and be as close to them emotionally as possible. Talk to them about their concerns, don’t judge them or think why they cannot do certain simple things. Understand it is difficult for them to cope up with these extreme changes. 

Try and work on daily activities like small games or going through the old photos, cooking together to boost their mood etc. Create a daily task-sheet with them and a routine that will provide them with a sense of purpose. These activities will aid in maintaining their overall well-being and stability during social isolation. Ask their support group leaders to get together online.

 (Pic credit: freepik)