Seniors in N.L. need your kindness

We, they, don’t have much time.

For some, it’s too late. The humdrum of a single room in a place that’s new to them, filled with mostly strangers, has gradually plucked the petals off their good spirits.

COVID-19 has drained many of us; has tested us mentally, but for many seniors in assisted living, it has flattened them.

For them, along with separation from their families (those that have families), and from the outside world, this has been emotionally flattening.

Remember, many of them aren’t only dealing with COVID19 fears: the prevalence of dementia more than doubles every five years for Canadians age 65 and older, from less than one per cent for those age 65-69 to about 25 per cent for those 85 and older. More than one in nine people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s disease.

Imagine watching the negative Covid-ridden news every day while already feeling depressed or with fogginess in your mind and memory.

From the outset, before I take my opinions any further, I want to be clear that many or the long term care homes and assisted living homes and residences are doing every bit they can to alleviate the loss and boredom that our seniors are feeling. Many of the caregivers are earthly angels who love their clients and love what they do. Unfortunately, in these places COVID-19 has tied the hands of those in charge of social events and recreation programs.

The purpose of my piece is to encourage society to revisit the needs our seniors have.

I know of a gentle, old man right now, sitting in a retirement home in a small town. His wife has been mentally taken from him due to dementia — no longer able to reside with him. He was a fisherman and the two of them spent decades on the water together. They raised a family together, camped tougher, went to church together.

At last report he is so dejected he can’t eat or sleep. The residence where he is goes above and beyond to help him, but the COVID-19 restrictions are keeping family away that he so desperately needs to support him.

Maybe we can all do better. Maybe we can learn from the pandemic. We’ve lost people due to this pandemic due to physical death, but there are countless that are struggling with losing their emotional health and livelihood.

Poor mental health is far more serious than many of our physical afflictions. Physical health isn’t important, or even possible, if your emotional health is waning.

When the doors open again to our seniors’ residences and to the shut-ins, can’t we help them believe they can be well again? Can’t we show them — through whatever means available — that we still cherish and appreciate them?

Maybe that annual Christmas concert at the seniors’ home can now be once for every season.

Maybe you can pick up a guitar and call a friend and go somewhere to sing a few old songs to a group of well-deserving seniors.

Maybe we can show up and volunteer to play checkers or help with a meal. Bringing the outside world to those who don’t get to see much of it anymore is a priceless gift.

A little thing that brings a smile is everything to someone in need.

One thing is for certain, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have adapted and pivoted during this pandemic to become more resilient and creative than we already were. Let’s use some of that creativity to give back to the people who got us to where we are today.

A lot of us have learned about what is truly important during this extended lockdown. One thing we learned is about how valuable time spent with others is. Maybe now, as we see the light at the end of this very long tunnel, we can turn our focus to things more positive and vow that we will make an effort to visit a loved one — or even a stranger — to make them feel like they are necessary and that they are nowhere near forgotten. No special talent required — just a voice to talk and ears to listen.

Seniors and the aged brought us here; maybe we should help them with their burdens for a while now. I’m pretty sure that will make us all feel better.

Jeff Hutchings St. John’s