Royce Shook

3 years ago · 1 min. reading time · ~100 ·

Blogging
>
Royce blog
>
Loneliness in the age of COVID 1

Loneliness in the age of COVID 1

The following was written by a friend of mine, Ken who shared it with his community, the Tri-Cities Seniors Action Society, of which I am on the Board. It is a long paper, and I will present it over the next few days as I consider it to be very interesting and useful information.

Canadians of all ages are carrying out COVID-related risk assessments on their usual activities of living, but the stakes are greater as people age. The virus is more deadly among the elderly: those in their 90s have a 25 percent risk of mortality if infected with the virus. For those in their 80s, it’s 15 percent, and eight percent for people in their 70s, according to Dr. Samir Sinha, director of geriatrics at the Sinai Health System and the University Health Network in Toronto.

At greatest risk in Canada are those living in long-term care, where the mortality rate among people infected with COVID was about 35 percent by May, according to figures from the Canadian Institute for Health Information. By June, four out of five known COVID deaths in Canada were among residents of long-term care homes, although they only accounted for 18 percent of total cases.

But physical isolation, the mainstay of defence against the virus, comes with its own terrible list of side effects. Older adults who are socially isolated are more likely to become inactive, grow frail, become depressed, and experience advancing dementia or eat poorly. These health consequences are interrelated, with one worsening the other, and can be irreversible or even fatal.

Social isolation (the objective state of having few social relationships or infrequent social contact with others) and loneliness (a subjective feeling of being isolated) are serious yet underappreciated public health risks that affect a significant portion of the adult population.

Approximately one-quarter (24%) of community-dwellers aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated, and a significant proportion of adults report feeling lonely (35% of adults aged 45 and older and 43% of adults aged 60 and older).

Loneliness is even more common in long-term care institutions. The prevalence of severe loneliness among older people living in care homes is at least double that of community-dwelling populations: 22% to 42%. A feeling of loneliness has increased the risk of depression, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts, aggressive behaviours, anxiety, and impulsivity. Some studies found that loneliness is also a risk factor for cognitive decline and progression of Alzheimer's disease, recurrent stroke, obesity, elevated blood pressure, and mortality. Lonely older people may be burdened by more symptoms before death and may be exposed to more intense end-of-life care compared with non-lonely people.

7a4b2b72.jpg

Comments

Jerry Fletcher

3 years ago #1

Thanik you, Royce.

Articles from Royce Shook

View blog
1 month ago · 2 min. reading time

Libraries play an important role in preserving modern history by collecting, organizing, and preserv ...

3 days ago · 1 min. reading time

My thanks to Walter and his sense of "old" humour for these · 'OLD' IS WHEN... · Your sweetie says · ...

3 weeks ago · 1 min. reading time

Those who are good at what they do, writers, speakers, teachers, elite athletes and others have an o ...

Related professionals

You may be interested in these jobs

  • Retirement Concepts

    Assistant Director of Care

    Found in: Talent CA C2 - 4 hours ago


    Retirement Concepts Victoria, Canada Full time

    Location: This position will be based out of Selkirk Seniors Village in Victoria, BC. This position will also support Beacon Hill Villa as needed. About Us · At West Coast Seniors Housing Management, we see our communities as a family and we are equally committed to our residen ...

  • ApplytoEducation

    Grade 2 Teacher

    Found in: Jobillico Premium CA C2 - 3 days ago


    ApplytoEducation Coronach, Canada

    GRADE 2 TEACHER AT CORONACH SCHOOL Category: Teachers. Principals & Superintendents School Year: Teacher School Year Date Posted: 2024/03/01 Location: Coronach School Date of Availability: As soon as possible Date of Closing: 2024/03/29 JobCode: Position Details :0.63 FTE Tempora ...

  • ABC AUTO & WINDOW GLASS LTD

    administrative assistant

    Found in: Talent CA 2 C2 - 4 days ago


    ABC AUTO & WINDOW GLASS LTD Surrey, Canada

    Education: Secondary (high) school graduation certificate · Experience: 2 years to less than 3 years · Asset languages · Panjabi; Punjabi · Tasks · Determine and establish office procedures and routines · Schedule and confirm appointments · Answer telephone and relay telephone ca ...