The global pandemic has left many older people feeling lonely, and abandoned. Not knowing the use of new technologies, during confinement and the new reality, they cannot maintain the contact they need with their loved ones and this directly impacts their mental and emotional state. These effects of the health crisis affect men and women equally, but in different ways:
- Women feel emotional loneliness, that is, they experience a feeling of emptiness and abandonment.
- Men feel more social loneliness due to a lack of relationship and trust in other people.
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Fear in the Elderly
Confinement has affected each social group differently. People at the highest risk, such as the elderly, live with more fear of the pandemic. This causes concern and, for many, anxiety. Other fears that haunt older people during the pandemic are; the fear of marginalization, forgetfulness, abuse or mistreatment, mental exhaustion, sedentary lifestyle, loss of financial resources, lack of assistance, and isolation.
Loneliness In the Elderly
The problem of loneliness and abandonment in the elderly has existed for a long time and prevails, but the appearance of the pandemic has accentuated it. Confinement caused many older adults to lose physical contact with their family and friends and this had very negative effects on their emotional and mental health since humans are social beings, and we need to communicate with other people. We must bear in mind that the decrease in social relationships accelerates cognitive deterioration and favors the premature appearance of dementia. In addition, by only being able to inform themselves through television, radio, or the written press, seniors worry when they receive the news and, if they do not have anyone with whom to communicate and share this information, they may have anxiety, anguish, and insomnia.
How Loneliness Affects Older People
When we talk about how loneliness affects older people, we must take into account two factors; retirement and unwanted loneliness. When we reach the retirement stage, we break our regular routine and it is not always how we have thought it would be. In many cases, older people are no longer visited by their relatives. This is unwanted loneliness for older people. All this can lead the elderly to isolation, depression, malnutrition, and/or lack of health, hygiene, and medication.
Good Quality of Life
To understand the problem of older adults, loneliness, we must understand that contact with other people is vital to their physical and mental health. In times of pandemic, it is more necessary than ever for elderly people to have company and support, but always following preventive measures against the pandemic. For this reason, in the event of isolation, we must ensure that grandparents and grandchildren are connected during confinement while taking advantage of new technologies.
Company to Combat Loneliness
Assisted living offers families personalized attention with flexible hours. All caregivers are usually highly trained, have the required work experience and valid references. Also, all platform collaborators are empathetic, altruistic, social, patient, careful, orderly, responsible, professional, attentive and with a vocation to take care of others. Therefore, with assisted living, your relatives should be in good hands.
