How Older Adults Can Stave Off Anxiety, Isolation During the Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders threaten to amplify older adults' risk of mental problems, which is worsened by their very rational fears of infection, reports WTTW-TV . University of Chicago (UIC) Medicine clinical psychiatrist Erin Zarahdnik suggests that their news consumption should be limited to ameliorate these fears. "You're going to have to figure out a new routine," she adds. "Reading for pleasure, listening to music, the weather's warmer so maybe get outside a little. Kind of figuring out how to normalize your life in an abnormal situation." UIC's John Holton adds that news should be taken from trusted sources and their time watching such news should be limited on a daily basis. He adds, "I think this is the time for community support from faith institutions, from housing facilities, that are able to take efforts to provide residents with information that will be helpful." Zarahdnik recommends that older adults should pay attention to their own behaviors and seek help if needed, including those who might be "isolating themselves even more than is advised." For those looking for help, Holton suggests the Department on Aging's senior helpline.