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Ep 53 Covid19 worsens social isolation
For many older Americans, loneliness and isolation were already a problem. The covid-19 pandemic and its associated lock downs have often increased that sense of isolation, especially at holiday time when visits by family would be most welcome.
This year, news and social media have been filled with images of families standing outside nursing facilities, trying to communicate with their relatives through closed windows and cell phones.
"We've all seen images of family members who were not able to visit their loved ones in assisted or skilled nursing facilities or the hospital during this time of physical distancing," said Brittney Schrick, assistant professor and extension family life specialist for the University of Arkansas System Agriculture Division.
"Ultimately, the pandemic has made worse an issue that was already bad," she said. "In addition to limiting visitation within families, the pandemic shut down gatherings like churches and clubs and most other ways that people would meet regularly."
And it's not just older people.
The American Psychological Association's Stress in America poll found that found that 78% of adults say the coronavirus pandemic is a significant source of stress in their lives, while 60% say the number of issues America faces is overwhelming to them.
When asked specifically about covid, the average reported stress level for U.S. adults related to the coronavirus pandemic was 5.9 out of 10. When asked to rate their stress level in general, the average reported stress level for U.S. adults was 5.4. The American Psychological Association says this marks the first significant increase in average reported stress since the survey began in 2007.
