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Older Adults Navigate Their Return to Normalcy
This past year has intensified anxiety, stress, and isolation for seniors and family caregivers alike. Covid-19 has been a traumatic time for us all, and these feelings of trauma will not immediately go away when the world reopens. The pandemic forced many people into social isolation, but for millions of Americans – especially adults 50-plus – their isolation began long before the pandemic, and will continue after it ends.
As of mid-May 2021, over 70 percent of America’s senior population had received their Covid-19 vaccines, bringing a collective sense of relief after enduring a tumultuous 15 months. Now, the weather has warmed up, it’s safer to gather, and spending time outside feels irresistible. In fact, for many seniors, getting outside, either to exercise or socialize, is important for nearly all aspects of health. Older adults who have felt isolated and lonely can once again begin to enjoy the activities they love.
As for senior centers and other programs directed at seniors resume operations, some older adults are finding the path back to their pre-pandemic activities anxiety-provoking and may be hesitant to do. Others are jumping right back in with great eagerness, planning meet-ups with friends and family and gladly filling up their social calendar.
Long Beach’s parks and recreation commissioner says his department, among others, has been giving considerable thought in the last few months to the question of how seniors in the city could re-integrate after the pandemic. “We met with the seniors June 16,” he says. “We had well over 100 seniors attend the meeting. We set up the meeting especially for them. They came in droves. It was a beautiful day. We told them we’re going to offer classes for them – exercise classes and games like bingo.” He said no date has been set for the classes.
The commissioner says there were “rumblings in the city” by some seniors who thought they were being ignored as the end of the pandemic approached. “Part of the reason for the meeting was to assure them that they haven’t been forgotten about” he says. “We have been worried about them. What the seniors need most to help them after Covid-19 is to provide them reasons to get out of their homes and see other people. For most of them, it’s getting out of the house. It was amazing to hear them say, ‘It’s so great to see you.’”
“They want companionship,” he adds. “I’m a recreation guy, but meeting with the seniors is just like what I witness with the kids I coach, they just want to get back to where they were.”
For some, that getting back to where they were will be a gradual process. It’s important to understand that feelings of fear or anxiety are normal. We often consider vulnerability a weakness, but to move forward, according to mental health professionals, the first step is to normalize not being ok.
“Due to the pandemic, there have been more fears and challenges, especially for adults ages 60 and over,” says a social worker at the Glen Cove Senior Center. “During the pandemic, people were facing isolation and loneliness, fears about contracting Covid-19 or getting it again and fears about the variants. But some people are coming back and it’s an unprecedented time. There are more fears and anxiety that we’re dealing with.”
Some healthy ways to deal with the anxiety, according to the social worker, are to reach out for support and help. Support groups, hotlines, mental health counselors, therapists and social workers are resources people can turn to, she said. Other ways to stay healthy include getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising. “Some people find comfort in meditation and going within to find a peaceful place inside,” she says. “Some people find comfort in religion, spirituality or a higher power. Friends and family can be a comfort also.”
Those wanting support, referrals or resources can call the senior center, she said, noting that her senior center, as well as other local centers, offers a variety of programs people can utilize as well, from meditation and chair yoga to communal lunches.
“It’s a good opportunity to interact with people who are experiencing similar fears and anxiety,” the social worker says. “And there are many activities during the day. The socialization is here.”
While a lot of members have returned to in-person activities there, not everyone is ready. “Some people are still being cautious, especially those with underlying health conditions, but we’re in touch with people and are doing the best we can,” she says. “People can call us at any time to discuss their fears. We’re here for them.”
Social workers and others involved with the senior population are finding a lack of confidence among some in returning to (the new) normal. Today’s older adults are worried about what’s happened and what’s to come – about having a breakthrough case of Covid-19 or being shamed for choosing to wear or not to wear a mask in a public space. All of this worrying is impacting senior confidence. If you’re hesitant to step back into the world, you’re not alone.
For those having trouble adjusting to your post-pandemic life, remember that it’s perfectly fine to adjust slowly, as and when you feel comfortable resuming your previous activities and lifestyle. Feelings of unease and concern are perfectly normal in this transitional period. Whether you’re worried about physically moving through a public space or socializing in person for the first time since 2020, a healthy dose of confidence can help you get reacquainted with the things you once loved.
Older folks need to understand that it’s okay to be nervous when re-entering the world again, according to a fellowship-trained geriatric medicine physician at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital. “It’s important to be self-aware of these feelings and how they play in your life,” the doctor says. “There is still so much unknown and it’s still important to take precautions.”
The doctor advises the elderly to take precautions and not to rush the reintegration process. He says to start off by seeing your close family/friends and doing small things like taking socially distanced walks. Gradually take steps to overcome those other fears. “Everybody has different comfort levels on how fast to reintroduce themselves,” he says. “It’s very individual-based and it’s okay to have anxiety. It’s important to keep yourself mentally and physically healthy.”
Confidence is Key to a Smooth Transition
Some seniors have been excited to get back into the world, while others are finding the re-entry process to be harder than expected. For most people, confidence is key to a successful transition. But many seniors lose their confidence as they get older. Life-altering events, like retirement, health issues, and the loss of loved ones, can contribute to a loss in personal confidence.
For some, the pandemic just happened to be perfect storm of these experiences. Over the past 15 months, seniors have led to learn new technologies in order to socialize. They’ve changed our day-to-day actions to be as health conscious as possible, even though health anxiety remains at an all-time high. Isolation, a key experience for many seniors in the pandemic, fuels low self-esteem, which can contribute to feelings of anxiety and depression. This past year has shown us the senior population’s resilience, but it’s also taken a toll on mental and physical health.
These feelings of anxiety can appear in a variety of settings. Many still feel anxious running errands and dining at restaurants.
While, some seniors continued to go to grocery stores throughout the pandemic, trips became shorter and more planned. Now that it’s safer to spend time in enclosed areas, many are struggling to perform the small talk that used to be part of routine interactions. On-site indoor dining was one of the biggest safety concerns for most Americans, according to the CDC. Now that people are back to dining inside, interacting with wait staff, as well as feeling comfortable eating in public, might feel strange and uncomfortable.
No matter how well you may have fared throughout the pandemic, it is perfectly reasonable that the resumption of “normal” activities may bring a sense of dread or concern as we continue to move forward.
Start small: If you haven’t left the house much over the last year, don’t just suddenly rip off the Band-Aid and walk into the most crowded place you can find. Start small and plan a visit with a few friends or family. Then work your way up from there. It’s all about slowly confronting your sources of fear with a little more exposure each time. Doctors call it “exposure therapy.”
Start soon: When something is making you anxious, you should confront the issue as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the worse your anxieties become. Not only does social isolation have short-term health implications, it can impact health long-term. This doesn’t mean you should throw a party, however, a little light outdoor socialization is a great way to start.
Look at the big picture: Those who suffer the most from Covid-19 re-entry anxiety, should always try to look at the big picture. A good thing to do would be to ask yourself, “what truly makes me happy?” Most of the time the answer is “family,” “the outdoors,” and “returning back to life.” Let the big picture be a major motivator to overcoming fears that in comparison might start to seen small.
Buddy up: If someone you know is in a similar phase of life like you are, get together and buddy up. You can support each other throughout the re-entry process. It’s always better to go through something together instead of facing an uphill battle alone.
Help is available if you need it: For some people this will be a breeze. For others it takes a little bit more strength and determination. If you come to a roadblock, don’t be afraid to reach out to a mental health professional.
