The rules that we currently have in place are designed to “flatten the curve.” This has become a widely used phrase to support the shelter in place orders that we are experiencing, and it means that the goal is to limit the number of people who get sick from COVID-19 so as not to overwhelm the hospital system. When hospitals are able to function smoothly, there is a greater chance that they can save lives, and so far, it seems to be fairly successful. Everyone can agree that the death tolls that we have experienced as a nation are not as high as some were predicting. And while that is not a guarantee that we are through all of this, it is a promising sign. Quarantine is not pleasant, but in many respects, it has helped to prevent a huge onrush of the novel coronavirus at this point.
But quarantine is not without its issues. As you probably know, the sense of isolation that we have been experiencing is a major cause for concern. In fact, a lot of people have expressed that the toll on mental health that isolation is causing is worse than the problem that is being addressed. One report out of California says that the number of reported suicide attempts that have been documented during the few months that we have been in shelter in place are equal to the number of suicide attempts that are typically reported over the course of a year. The number of successful suicides is almost on this same rate. This is a huge increase, and it is a very concerning trend. These numbers are not just pertaining to seniors, but the senior population is especially vulnerable to this,only because they were already so apt to be isolated.
This is an issue that extends far beyond the current pandemic. It is an issue that has existed long before the pandemic began, and it’s likely to be an issue long afterward. However, by bringing it out into the light, we can take steps to protect seniors and others who might be suffering because of isolation.
The truth is, a lot of seniors feel isolated from family and friends even without social distancing guidelines in place. A lot of people feel cut off from society, the people that they love, and the things that they enjoy doing. Although we do want to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and avoid the potential for illnesses because of disease, we also need to remember that the elderly people in our lives need social interaction on a regular basis. And we need to remember this long after the threat of the coronavirus disappears. Focusing on being with the people that we love and ensuring that there is a support structure in place for them will be important forever, not just during this pandemic.
We want to help. In-home care isn’t a social cure, but it is a care solution that naturally incorporates social interaction into it. That’s one of the many reasons why it is so valuable.
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