Derby Telegraph

Show you care

As research suggests over-65’s mental health is deteriorat­ing in the pandemic KATIE WRIGHT finds out how to support your older relatives

-

AS the government ramps up efforts to halt the spread of the Omicron variant, bringing forward the date by which all adults will have been offered a booster jab by a month, it’s important not to forget about the impact Covid-19 is having in terms of wellbeing.

A recent report highlighte­d how the pandemic has damaged older people’s mental health and calls for more counsellin­g and bereavemen­t support for over-65s.

The research, which was carried out by The Mental Health Foundation and Independen­t

Age, estimates that as many as 318,000 people in England and Wales over the age of 65 lost their partners between the first lockdown and May 2021.

“The big thing is the sense of isolation – lockdown has had a horrendous impact,” says Lina Mookerjee, BACP senior accredited psychother­apist from Praxis Therapy. “As you get older, you are more vulnerable.

There’s a lot of fear about getting ill and who’s going to look after you.” While health services are beneficial, there are lots of ways we can play our part to support older people, whether that’s family, friends or in the wider community.

Get in touch – and be reliable

When it comes to relatives or friends who may be lonely, contact is key, and in many cases, the ‘little and often’ approach is really helpful. “Make an agreement,” Lina says. “Set five or 10 minutes, the same time either every day or every week,” to visit (if possible) or call. “That can go a long way, because then they’ll go, ‘I’m looking forward to that’.”

And make sure to stick to the plan as far as possible: “If you can’t make it, give them warning – the worst thing is letting them down, because they could have been really looking forward to the contact.”

Encourage healthy choices

Exercise can have a big impact on mood, even if it’s just a stroll around the local park.

“Encourage them to commit to at least a 10 to 15-minute walk every day,” Lina suggests. You could meet up and do it together if you’re nearby, or chat on your mobiles while you both walk. When you’re not chatting, try to inhale deeply and feel the effects of the fresh air.

“Deeper breathing when you’re walking increases your sense of wellbeing and endorphins get released.”

Talk to your friend or family member about what they’re eating and advise them to avoid too many sugary foods, as this can cause “a huge spike in blood sugar levels in the brain, and then a massive drop”, Lina warns, exacerbati­ng feelings of loneliness and depression.

Support charities

There are lots of charities working at both national and local level to help over-65s. You might want to volunteer to take part in Age UK’s telephone befriendin­g service or donate money to help fund a charity’s efforts.

“Find out what’s in your locality,” says Lina, and remember it’s not just money that organisati­ons need.

“It’s good, because there are a lot of people who are vulnerable and don’t have enough food.” Look out for food bank donation points near supermarke­t checkouts.

Don’t infantilis­e older people

No matter how you interact with older people, it’s important to treat them with respect and not infantilis­e them, even when they’re in a vulnerable position.

“What we want to do is celebrate the fact they’ve survived,” Lina says. “Let’s give them credit, because there’s a heck of a lot of wisdom that’s survived this long. Encourage them to tap into it, and don’t sideline them, include them.”

 ?? ?? A regular call can make all the difference to someone
A regular call can make all the difference to someone
 ?? ?? Lina Mookerjee
Lina Mookerjee

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom