Everyone’s mental health is being tested by the changing lockdown rules imposed by State Governments as they tackle outbreaks of the potentially deadly COVID-19 virus – but it appears the over-60s may be coping better than others in the community.
Most adults use technology to survive and make contact with the outside world and the same goes for seniors, who have learned how to use it, with visits by family and friends banned or strictly limited during COVID-19 outbreaks.
Psychologists at Macquarie University in Sydney found that while many older adults reported low mood and worry, it is not as severe as might be expected.
“In many cases older adults were coping well,” says Professor Viviana Wuthrich (pictured), Director of Macquarie University’s Centre for Ageing, Cognition and Wellbeing.
“We found that older people who were maintaining social contact and a wider interest in the world through technology had better emotional wellbeing.”
Another boost to a seniors’ mental health was being able to keep in contact with grandchildren through the telephone or video conferencing, or in some cases, still face-to-face, were experiencing better mental health.
“Even though older people understood they were at greater risk if they got COVID, that they could die or have serious complications – they still reported better mental health and better well-being,” she says.
Professor Wuthrich’s study also found that although people reported being more isolated and lonelier, it wasn’t impacting greatly on levels of anxiety and depression.
Importantly, if you are struggling, there are supports available.
Help is available nationally for older adults struggling to cope during the pandemic via current clinical trials of the Ageing Wisely program funded by the NHMRC and Beyond Blue.
More information at: http://www.tiny.cc/STOP-Study and http://www.tiny.cc/SPAA-Study
