Most of the Covid-19 infections are mild, but the condition is highly contagious, having a very high rate of transmissions among humans. Covid-19 is capable of progressing from its mild state to pneumonia, further exacerbating to ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome), which can lead to death (Benerjee, 2020). Consequently, the fatality and severity of the Covid-19 effects are higher as age progresses due to the risk factors predisposing at an advanced age such as immune suppression, preexisting respiratory diseases, social impoverished, and the chronic medical comorbidities. This essay describes best practices for depression during the quarantine among the seniors.
The hygiene and distancing measures at home and in the care homes are associated with evils of loneliness, neglect, depression, isolation, abuse, and anxiety (Hossain, Sultan, and Purohit 2020). More so, the pandemic's fear and uncertainty increase mental effects among the seniors because of their vulnerability awareness. The guilt of possibly transmitting infections, fear of losing the loved ones, and their deaths can be so overwhelming. Hossain, Sultan, and Purohit (2020) affirm that the fear from Covid-19 effects results in self-neglect and the dilemmas of 'what after me' whose consequences are evident in the non-compliance behaviors to the precautionary measures prescribed.
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Measures to ensure the psychological well-being of the seniors include maintaining social integration and connectedness with the families by involving them in various decision-making processes (Wu, 2020). Elders ought to understand the necessity of the three precautionary measures including, respiratory and hand hygiene and social distancing using relevant and simple terms, which gives security necessary for a quality of life and mental peace. According to Wu (2020), emotional support is vital for the seniors residing alone while ensuring their safety, basic and dignity needs are met to free them from any stress and loneliness when under lockdown (Wu, 2020).
Tele-facilities are the best choices in the care consultations during this pandemic era that will help decrease the risks during physical access while reducing fear (Wu, 2020). Moreover reducing the time of the digital screen is necessary to minimize panic as well as misinformation with any updates on Covid-19 done expertly. Wu (2020) asserts that Caregivers and families need to know the increased needs of the elders with preexisting conditions including, depression, dementia, and neurological disorders, thus preventing suicide by the gate-keeper awareness technique. Self-medication should be discouraged while ensuring respect, autonomy, and dignity needs are met. Therefore taking necessary care for the elderly is important while ensuring they feel important through taking active parts in the decision-making processes.
References
Banerjee, D. (2020). ‘Age and ageism in COVID-19’: Elderly mental health-care vulnerabilitiesand needs. Asian Journal of Psychiatry .
Hossain, M. M., Sultana, A., & Purohit, N. (2020). Mental health outcomes of quarantine and isolation for infection prevention: A systematic umbrella review of the global evidence. Available at SSRN 3561265 .
Wu, B. (2020). Social isolation and loneliness among older adults in the context of COVID-19: a global challenge. Global Health Research and Policy , 5 (1), 1-3. https://ghrp.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41256-020-00154-3
