Shared connections are vital to the emotional and physical well-being of homebound seniors, a researcher at Oregon State University’s Center for Healthy Aging Research told McKnight’s Home Care Daily.
Carolyn Aldwin, Ph.D., helped lead a study of 235 older Oregon adults about their experiences under lockdown early in the pandemic. While nearly all cited difficulties dealing with isolation and fears about the virus, more than two-thirds shared positive experiences, including reconnecting with old friends or trying a new project.
Aldwin said the lessons learned from the pandemic could help the millions of seniors who are now aging in place or planning to in the future. She found many seniors benefit as much from providing services to others, as getting them.
“There are things that even homebound elders can do. There are telephone chains. My church, for example, had organized folks calling older adults who couldn’t get out. Certainly someone who is homebound would not only like having that service, but could contribute to the service,” Aldwin said.
The study found those seniors who were able to connect with others added to the resilience of their communities.
“It’s a mistake to think of older adults as just being sort of victims during COVID. They’re a lot more resilient than we think they are, and they’re important for the community,” said Aldwin.
