“Celebrating old age”: an obsolete expression during the COVID-19 pandemic? Medical, social, psychological, and religious consequences of home isolation and loneliness among the elderly

Abstract

Since epidemiological arguments favouring self-isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic are widely recommended, the consequences of social isolation/loneliness of older people considered to be at higher risk for severe illness are neglected. We identified and described medical, social, psychological, and religious issues, indirectly generated by the COVID-19 lockdown. Mortality induced by SARS-CoV-2 and death from other “neglected” issues were put in balance. Arguments for strict lockdown from most European countries are compared with a relaxed approach, as has been applied in Sweden. Social isolation affects disproportionally the elderly, transforming it into a public health concern. One witnesses openly ageist discourse, while painful decisions to prioritising ventilation for younger patients deepens the sense of hopelessness. Fear has led to anxiety disorders and depression. Various religious practices provide resources for coping with isolation/overcoming loneliness. Higher levels of mortality/morbidity due to “COVID-19 versus non-COVID-19” polarisation oblige the healthcare community to find ways to provide proper care for its elders.

COVID-19 in Poland: potential associations with epidemiology, population and healthcare quality

“…Findings of our correlation analyses indicate that such disparities might be associated with factors related to epidemiology, population characteristics and healthcare resource availability. The fact that both incidence and mortality were positively correlated with population density is in line with our knowledge about the spread of the virus and confirms that measures to reduce viral transmission, focusing on social distancing in particular, are reasonable [12][13][14][15][16]. The positive correlation between COVID-19 incidence and the proportion of the population aged above 65 suggests that older adults are more likely to get infected, which has been observed in other countries as well [17][18][19][20][21][22].…”

A Polish and German Population Study of Quality of Life, Well-Being, and Life Satisfaction in Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Difficulties accessing medical services or specific psychiatric treatment have led to mental relapses and uncontrollable behaviors [hyperactivity, agitation, and self-harm; ( 24 )]. Some researchers report that uncertainty about the possibility of becoming ill and dying and about the health of family and friends has heightened dysphoric mental states ( 25 , 26 ). On the other hand, social distancing measures slow down the spread of the virus and prevent older people being exposed to the disease ( 8 ).…”

“…Because older adults are at risk of COVID-19, they are under enormous stress in addition to their existing vulnerabilities. Although the effects of social isolation are different to the effects of loneliness, efforts to reduce social isolation could lead to a lower mortality rate ( 26 , 28 ).…”

Pandemic lockdown, healthcare policies and human rights: integrating opposed views on COVID-19 public health mitigation measures

“…While focusing on a large scale communication of hygiene methods and social distancing, with an increasing concern on elderly care facilities (Burlacu et al, 2020), there are particular groups of high-risk individuals that participate in the outbreak with few solutions to make the quarantine methods efficient for them. Although the community-centered CDC approach (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020) engages a coalition of different local authorities ('whole community approach' including law enforcers, local government officials, and volunteers), homeless people seem to participate in an 'under the radar' transmission (Maxmen, 2020) generating new spreading sources that are, at the very least, challenging to identify and contain.…”