COVID-19, Aging, and Mental Health

Source: Lucrezia Carnelos/Unsplash

By James Fisher

COVID-19 has done serious damage around the world since the outbreak in late 2019. As of the writing of this post, there have been a reported 271,000 COVID-19-related deaths around the world.

The data has shown that of the fatalities, an overwhelming majority of them are in the aging population. The elderly are sadly the most vulnerable demographic to the virus. However, the virus is not the only challenge facing them. The aging population practicing social distancing is also exposed to a constant supply of media that is not overly sensitive towards them. “Coronavirus is mysteriously sparing kids and killing the elderly,” is just one example of the not so subtle media.

If that was not enough, at the same time our aging population seems to be the object of jokes and laughter from the younger millennials and zoomers. If you have heard someone dismiss their parent, grandparent, or someone older than them with an “OK boomer” and thought that it was rather presumptuous, it was, and it always will be. The cavalier, condescending attitude towards our elders by some in the younger generations is quite alarming. Not shockingly, the “YOLO” crowd did not let the pandemic stop them from becoming public health hazards during spring break. The same self-proclaimed enlightened group thought it would be funny to cough on grocery store produce, because what could be funnier than endangering the people around you? This is not a time that is particularly kind to our aging population. The scope of the entire situation poses serious mental health risks.

Thankfully, researchers in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry have called for more research into the mental health of our aging population and how it correlates with COVID-19 and related issues. The researchers,

“anticipate a need for timely and valid scientific information on a range of topics. These may include the distinct mental health impact related to the fatality risks from the coronavirus, stress around behaviors that may lead to contact/infection (including contact with caregivers), consequences from social distancing and isolation measures instituted by governments around the world and the neurobiological consequences of the resulting stress and inflammation that may increase vulnerability to mental health issues.”

It is encouraging to know there are institutions that believe in investigating the issues facing our aging population specifically. We live in a world that caters to many demographics, yet often aging peoples are not a priority. But now, the researchers are investigating. For example, they are calling for documentation of active mental health services and tools being used now by hospitals, nursing homes, and other care settings.

“It will be important for the field to assess the range and efficacy of these measures - these may include implementing telepsychiatry for direct care and psychotherapy, using a range of technologies for social engagement and measures to facilitate physical activity and nutrition.”

And thankfully, the researchers share very timely words and call for new knowledge that will help serve older generations.

“Even as we assess impact on aging individuals, we also account for their important contributions in disaster preparedness and response. Research has documented the important social capital, perspective and wisdom provided by these individuals in the form of their experience and pre-existing social networks. Thus, older adults may have important lessons to teach COVID-19 sufferers, as well as healthcare professionals from all age groups. Simply put, a new body of knowledge needs to be generated to capture the wide impact of the pandemic on mental health and wellness.”

This is encouraging, and hopefully, the new data can help better serve our communities and our vulnerable. Until then, let us try to be the best assistance to our elders that we can be, not their adversaries.

Written by James Fisher, currently a Master of Arts student studying Humanitarian and Disaster Leadership at Wheaton College in the suburbs of Chicago.