Canacona: Even though the central government has announced the removal of a lot of the restrictions, which were enforced since the COVID-19 lockdown in March, the sizeable population of elderly people living in Canacona is still reluctant to come out of their homes.
Enquiries revealed that the ominous advisories from the Public Health Authorities – International, National and Local – of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic for the vulnerable senior population has in fact terrified them and kept them indoors only, thus affecting, not just their physical but, more so, their mental and emotional health. This is incidentally the situation that can be seen across all talukas of Goa.
To understand their predicament, Herald spoke to a few seniors in Canacona about their long home isolation, its collateral effects on their mental and emotional health, and how they are coping with one of the worst pandemics in generations.
Many revealed that they are advised against going out; understandably, by their children as they fear their parents contracting the disease due to their vulnerability as cautioned by the health experts, given that the pandemic is still raging around the world.
But most agree that this lack of movement and isolation for the last 7 months is taking a toll on them.
“In fact, I am missing my regular trip to my favorite joint since March. The 2km walk and the chat with my old pal was enough for me to keep me in good spirits…it’s taking a toll on my health, both physically and mentally”, said an octogenarian wishing anonymity.
It must be emphasized that the concerns of the children of these elderly people, who are their caretakers are extremely genuine and come from a place where the safety and health of these people are looked after.
A lot of effort is put in to ensure that these precautionary measures are maintained, daily chores taken care off including purchasing groceries and other provisions. Nonetheless, this most vulnerable section of the society feels like they are missing out on meeting some of their family members and friends, who they would have otherwise met with in those seven months. For some of the others who are in a better physical condition, they used to look forward to their favourite activity outside their houses as well.
All of this has led to unintended mental and psychosocial issues.
Experts suggest various measures to deal with mental and psychosocial stress in these trying times. In a recent flyer, the World Health Organization (WHO) suggested talking to loved ones; maintaining a proper diet; exercising; talking to a healthcare worker or counselor etc.
Echoing this, Dr Vandana Desai, Health Officer at the Canacona Community Health Centre (CHC), while advising senior citizens, said that they should at least do some physical activity like a walk in the courtyard, yoga and a little bit of bending and stretching.
“Those senior citizens who are having ailments like hypertension, diabetes, urinary disorders or respiratory disorders or are suffering from other ailments are requested to visit the hospital or nearby sub-centres for regular checkups”, Dr Desai suggested.
