Preventing Isolation and Depression in Seniors During the COVID-19 Pandemic

My toddler pulled the bright red tissue paper out of the gift bag and her face lit up when she saw a pair of sparkly silver sneakers. The shoes, a present from Grandma for her third birthday, brought us all some delight, but I was saddened that my mom couldn’t be there to see the joy on her granddaughter’s face. It had been almost three months since we had last seen Grandma on March 13. The next day, we had gone into quarantine to do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19. We have wanted to protect my mother’s physical health, but I think that the social isolation has had a negative effect on her mood. I worry that she is experiencing depression.

Protecting Our Loved Ones During COVID-19

Seniors and individuals with compromised immune systems are at greatest risk of life-threatening complications if they contract COVID-19. To protect them, it has been necessary to stop their usual social activities such as family visits, attending places of worship, and participating in activities at seniors’ centers. While there have been many efforts to protect the physical well-being of our loved ones, there has not been enough time to develop and implement wide-reaching effective strategies to combat isolation and its effects on mental health.

It is well established that seniors experiencing isolation are at greater risk for mental illness, primarily depression and anxiety. Social support, or even the perception that assistance is reliably available and that they are part of a social network, is key to maintaining good health. Prior to the global pandemic, events such as retirement, loss of loved ones, and mobility challenges could contribute to inadequate social support. However, these events happened gradually and it was possible to develop alternative supports to guard against loneliness and depression. With COVID-19, many of the usual options to adapt to changing situations have been unavailable.

A social circle motivates seniors to maintain healthy eating and exercise habits. When this is lost, a cycle of unhealthy habits can fuel depression and possibly contribute to physical and cognitive decline. It is important that we break this cycle but how do we do this when so many of the usual resources aren’t available?

Combating Isolation and Depression

It may be easy to feel discouraged and at a loss for what to do, but if we look at what has been achieved, there are many encouraging signs. As a society, we have made an incredible shift in a matter of weeks. There have been few moments in history when we have worked together so effectively to protect each other. Although we are keeping each other physically safe, we are missing the ways we naturally connect—nothing can replace a hug from a loved one. However, we are finding other means to connect socially. Here are some suggestions to help your isolated loved one stay engaged and connected:

• Video-conferencing and phone calls
• “Attending” live online concerts
• Participating in online book clubs
• Sending mail by post

My family has used many of these options to stay connected. Grandma has been thrilled to receive packages that have included artwork by my daughter and photographs of her wearing her new sparkly sneakers.

Qualicare is Here to Help

As society responds to the many challenges presented by COVID-19, you can rely on the support of Qualicare. We understand how isolation and depression can negatively affect both the physical and mental health of seniors. In addition to general personal care services, we can provide companionship to your loved one to ensure they have well-rounded care. Our care providers are trained extensively in infection control best practices, particularly for preventing the spread of COVID-19. Even if you can’t safely spend quality time in the presence of your loved ones, you can know that they are having in-person social interactions that are key to maintaining their physical and mental health.

Reach out to Qualicare to find out how we can assist you and your loved ones during these challenging times.