Loneliness among elders: The main area of concern during the lockdown

A national poll on healthy aging finds that about a third of seniors are lonely. Some research also shows that chronic loneliness can impact older adults' memory, physical well-being, mental health, and life expectancy (just as much as smoking).

More often than not, elders feel a lack of companionship, caused by children moving away, loss of loved ones, loss of contact with relatives/friends, etc. Mudit Dandwate, co-founder, Dozee, says, "In normal days, they have the option to fill this void as they socialise with friends, family, neighbors and by choosing to go for walks, kitty parties, etc.

And now that we are in the middle of a pandemic and under social distancing, times can get extremely hard for elders especially. Because the pandemic COVID-19 does not only bring about self isolation but also scares them about the possibilities and consequences of the virus.

Hence it is very important to sit down and make them feel comfortable." Mudit shares a few ways you can make the elders in your home or your neighborhood a little less lonely this Quarantine!

Talk to them

Yes, this is the most effective way that can help. Strike a conversation every time you can, whether it's about learning something from them or teaching them something.

Try to get them to a comfortable topic, talk about topics that would interest them a lot - their childhood, their most cherished memory, a heirloom that they hold dear, anything. Old folks love talking so give them a conversation starter and trust us, you'll enjoy everything that comes along the conversation.

Offer help and company

Since they're old and more likely to catch the virus due to low immunity, offer them help. You can order groceries online for them that can reduce their visits. You can also give them company for an evening cup of chai, teach them how to play ludo while you are at it.

Also, teach them how to watch their favourite old songs on YouTube or create them a playlist!

Spend a healthy/relaxing evening with them

Since loneliness can get too much and result in loss of sleep or disturbed sleep, you can offer them some basic yoga exercises that can help ease their body and mind.

Doing even 15 mins of yoga will be beneficial for you as well as them. Practice Yoga Nidra as it really helps to cover up on some of the lost sleep and rejuvenates your body and also stimulates mental health.

You can do 30 minutes of yoga nidra with applications that have guided meditation and it will be equivalent to two hours of sound sleep.

Teach them tech for health

You can get them updated with the current technologies by introducing them to all that the market has to offer to them. You can sign them up for a health check up or get them IoT devices with an application which tracks their health (you can track it on your phone as well), then you can teach them it's function and how they can keep a track of their own health.

Remind them of their meals, medicines, etc. Show them that they're being cared for, they really want to feel loved.

Combating loneliness is very important to prevent exclusion and thus, preventing mental, emotional distress.

We, as humans should play our part in contributing to the well-being of our senior citizens and help them overcome loneliness and isolation. After all, our senior members are a family treasure and we must protect them at all costs!