Page 17 - Senior Times South Central Michigan June 2021 - 28-06

Senior Times - June 2021 Mask Mandate Lifts
Page 17
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Apprehension Remains
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
It’s official, vaccinations are changing the way we can gather;
the new better has begun. And yet post-pandemic anxiety, isolation, and depression remains. Small, unforced steps will be the process for many.
In May the CDC updated their COVID-19 mask guidance. As a result, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) updated
the Gatherings and Mask Order to align with it to indicate that fully vaccinat- ed Michiganders will no longer need
to wear a mask while indoors. This became effective Saturday, May 15 at 9am.
Lisa Marsh Ryerson: How can family caregivers help older adults manage feelings of depression caused by the isolation of this past year?
Under the updated MDHHS Gatherings and Mask Order, Michiganders who are outdoors will no longer need to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Residents who are not vaccinated, or have not completed their vaccinations, must continue to wear a mask or face covering to protect themselves and others. After July 1, the broad indoor mask mandate will expire.
AARP Foundation and United Health Foundation’s study, The Pandemic Effect: A Social Isolation Report, found that six in 10 adults 50-plus with low income are experienc- ing social isolation and 66% of people felt the pandemic caused their anxiety to increase.
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Even though the guidelines have changed, some will be hesitant about returning to engaging with friends
and family again. And that’s OK. The Daily Caring editorial team inter- viewed experts Dr. Robin Smith, ther- apist-in-residence, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and Lisa Marsh Ryerson, AARP Foundation president. They answer
Maintaining regular communica- tion, whether virtual or in-person, with seniors is the easiest way to reduce feelings of depression and isolation. Setting a recurring calendar invite daily, weekly, or bi-weekly ensures there aren’t long lapses in time between interactions.
top questions about managing anxiety, stress, isolation, and depression as we emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is what they said.
It’s so important during this time that people practice self-care and take time to check-in with themselves and their loved ones.
Dr. Robin: How can seniors and family caregivers manage anxiety as they re-enter the new normal of post-pandemic life?
Additionally, it’s important to check- in and evaluate emotions. Being anx- ious is different from being paralyzed by anxiety. Many normal feelings have been replaced with the inability to feel hopeful, resourceful, or manage con- nections.
COVID-19 has been a traumatic time for us all, and these feelings of trauma will not immediately go away when the world reopens.
Feel more connected by taking a walk to your neighborhood coffee shop or dog park and get the benefit of stress relief from self-care as well. Try journ- aling at the end of each day and noting how different activities help you feel more connected.
Acknowledging that social isola- tion has reached epidemic proportions during the past year, we launched Connect2Affect.org to help people assess their risk and find support services.
Dr. Robin: What else can we do to improve our well-being right now?
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The pandemic forced many people into social isolation, but for millions of Americans – especially adults 50-plus – their isolation began long before the pandemic, and will continue after it ends. It’s important to understand that these feelings of fear or anxiety are normal. We often consider vulnerability a weakness, but to move forward, the first step is to normalize not being ok.
Lisa Marsh Ryerson: Why is social isolation a growing concern?
People who are hesitant to emerge from quarantine into post-pandem-
ic life should start small. By taking manageable steps that can be accom- plished, people can begin to feel prog- ress at a slow but steady pace.
Social isolation can have a long- term impact on not only mental health but also physical health, including an increased risk of heart disease, demen- tia, cognitive decline, high blood pres- sure, or sleep disorders.
This pandemic led to an increase in isolation and loneliness for many older adults who were disconnected from their family, friends, and community.
It is important not to be overly ambi- tious, and as each incremental step is successful, it will gradually decrease the feelings of anxiety and isolation.
Studies have found that isolation and loneliness are worse for health than obesity, and that prolonged isolation is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
Lisa Marsh Ryerson: Family care- givers have been under tremendous stress this past year. How can we manage the higher-than-usual levels of burnout and fatigue?
Dr. Robin: Now that COVID-19 vaccines are available, will social isolation decrease?
Family and friends are the back- bones of America’s care system, pro- viding the bulk of caregiving for older people in the U.S, as they strive to live independently.
Not right away. Even as states lift COVID-19 restrictions and millions
of people are vaccinated, some people are still very nervous about re-entering social circles and workplaces, and they remain isolated.
The stress of this past year has made it even more challenging to balance the needs of older family members with our own households, but there are steps people can take to handle burnout and fatigue.
A recent University of Michigan poll found about one in five adults 50 and over said their overall mental health was worse since the pandemic started, and they currently experience depres- sion, anxiety, insomnia, substance use, or another mental health disorder. The mental toll of isolation is real.
First, practice self-care even if only in very small ways.
It’s important to overcome the stig- ma of admitting to being socially isolat- ed and seek treatment for mental health and support.
Next, caregivers should check to see if their employer offers paid caregiving leave, flexible scheduling, or other ben- efits to help them stay in the workforce while caring for a loved one as many companies expanded these benefits during the pandemic.
Publisher’s note: Fear remains high. Just because we’ve been given the OK to re-enter the community mask-less does not mean that you have to until you are ready.