Effects of COVID-19 Waves on Elderly People

The novel Corona virus has captured most of the counties in the world and created apprehension in senior citizens. Covid-19 is highly infectious and it spreads quickly across communities. As the ageing population has low immune power, the pandemic creates more and more causalities with them. Therefore, the affected counties have declared lockdowns, shutdowns and curfews which strictly impose restrictions on all most all citizens specially the free movement of older adults as the virus is extremely contagious nature. The elderly people are forced to stay isolated from social activities and community associations which make them feel lonely and panic. Many of the senior citizens are retired persons from their occupations having lower family responsibilities and they have enough time to share with their friends, associates and community. The Covid outbreak has imposed numerous compulsions on elderly people and they are completely restricted within their homes and away from their loved ones which have made them psychologically and emotionally disturb. Elderly people are expected to be affected immediately by Corona Virus with high casualties in comparison to young mass in first wave of Covid. It is very difficult for the ageing group to get recovery soon as most of them face different complications related heart, diabetics, high blood pressure etc. The second wave of Covid is also equally dangerous for the elderly people. They have to maintain Covid guidelines sincerely as there is not any substitute to control the spread of Corona virus. Being vaccinated, social distancing, using double protective mask, sanitazisation along with strictly focusing on all hygiene measures are helpful to protect ageing mass from attack of the Covid-19. The Government of India has given priority to the elderly mass to provide vaccine for their safety and security. But social isolation strictly blocks common gathering in parks, temples, markets and the overall crowed places where the elderly population meet regularly and share their feelings. Most of them are isolated even in their families as nobody has the enough time to spend with them. Lack of social inclusion again makes them lonely and adversely affect their socio-psychological conditions. This small piece of study tries to focus on the problems associated with ageing population during COVID-19. It also studies the impact of the pandemic on the socio-psychological conditions of senior citizens and provides strategies to curb the issues.

Author(s): Debajani Palai

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