Since COVID-19 has washed up on our shores, we have asked the elderly and our most vulnerable to isolate and be wary. The life of the virus has lasted longer than many of us thought and this has left them feeling disheartened and discouraged. With all this in mind, it can have a negative effect on their mental health too.
With the increase of inflation, the war between Ukraine and Russia and the ever evolving variants of the virus. It can be easy to forget about taking care of your mental health or indeed, the mental health of those we care for, the elderly.
For the vast majority, there is a strong feeling of anxiety with the country. Many feel helpless with a lack of control and security over their own lives.
How the Mental Health of the Elderly has been Affected:
With the virus, the cost of living and so much more, it will not be surprising to find that the elderly in society may feel:
- Irritable
- Frustrated
- Disoriented
- Depressed
- Feeling Anxious
- Low Self Esteem
- Increased Stress
- Sleeping Problems
- Unsettled
How You Can Help Improve The Mental Health of the Elderly:
Gather Information Together:
Get the contact details of family members, friends, and services together and have them keep them close by. This will make it easier for your loved ones to reach out should they wish or need to.
Promote a Healthy Diet:
If you are shopping for over 60+ friends or relatives (or you bring them shopping). Try to promote healthier eating habits. Make sure they have plenty of fluids easy to reach like bottles of water. Try and stock the fridge with lots of fruit and vegetables to help them strengthen their immune system.
Encourage Them To Keep Active:
This can depend on how mobile they are and what they are able to do. Small movements and stretches can help when it comes to bettering their mood.
Keep In Contact:
Whether it’s to share some news, ask them how their day went, or simply to have a chat above nothing in particular. Regular contact will stop them from feeling alone and isolated.
Routine, Routine, Routine:
Helping them create a routine will help them feel more in control of their lives and give them a better level of security.
Dive Into Technology:
During our first lockdown, many of the elderly missed out on the joys of technology and how it can make us all feel a little more connected. If you can, share how best to use the internet and technology so that they can be apart of the conversation.
My brother has recently found a knitting pattern forum that he shares with my Nan so that she can find new styles to knit and she loves to show us once she is done. Especially now that she kind of understands WhatsApp.
Get Into A Hobby Together:
This is a great idea to help keep the mind and body active (dependent on what you chose to do). You can keep in contact with each other over your progress together.
Never be afraid to ask for help or to seek support from local services – they will always have someone on hand to help in circumstances such as these.
For the elderly that find it difficult to operate everyday items in the home – why not make things a little easier with our Uccello Kettle?
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