Coping with COVID-19 Loneliness with Nursing Care

The COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 is still impacting life in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and throughout the world. This lingering issue, and the isolation associated with it, can contribute to feelings of loneliness. For the elderly population, which often struggles with these issues already, the burden can seem quite heavy. Fortunately, Premier Personal Care understands nursing care for COVID-19 and provides senior resources detailing ways to combat the negative mental health effects of the pandemic.

Mental Health and You

Loneliness and stress can cause serious mental health problems. While the stigma of getting help for mental health has lessened over the years, it still exists for many in the elder community. Keep in mind—the symptoms that get ignored today can grow and even contribute to a loss of physical well-being.

What are some ways to achieve better mental health? Some of our recommendations include:

• Talk to a mental health professional: With telemedicine now a part of daily life, it can be easy to facilitate a visit with a counselor, therapist, or whomever you wish to consult —no transportation necessary! If you have an Internet connection, you can schedule an appointment.
• Avoid information overload: The news is not always an uplifting source of enjoyment. While it might be our duty to stay informed, sometimes too much is too much. Taking a break from the news, and enjoying music, a book, or a movie might just provide a calm moment in the information storm.
• Knowledge is power: The more you understand a situation, the less chance it has to invoke irrational fears and worries. While COVID-19 can be unsettling and frightening, you can learn the facts and hopefully quell your anxieties. Our COVID-19 information is an excellent source to begin your educational journey. Our previous blog post on defending loneliness in the COVID-19 era is also a great resource for keeping your spirits up and the blues away.

The More You Move, the Better You Feel

The benefits of exercise extend to everyone, seniors included. Exercise has been proven to be an excellent way to reduce stress and increase a sense of well-being. Perhaps you can’t move like you used to. That’s OK! There are options for exercise at every age. Of course, don’t do anything rash, and don’t start a fitness program without consulting a doctor. But with the right help, you, too, can enjoy the increased peace of mind that comes from exercise.

If It Feels Good, Do It (Within Reason!)

Doing activities you enjoy is a great way to reduce stress. Yet in these socially distant times, it can be difficult to partake in previous pleasures, especially if you have limited mobility. This is where technology (and those helpful grandkids) can be useful. Online gaming does not just mean space aliens and fantasy worlds —with just a little learning, you can be online taking part in such pastimes as:

• Scrabble
• Sudoku
• Cribbage
• Bridge
• Crossword puzzles
• And a host of other enjoyable activities

Perhaps, however, the online world is not for you. There are still ways to reduce loneliness and stress. Write a letter to an old friend and enjoy correspondence the way it used to take place. Set out a birdfeeder, and observe the beauty of nature from the comfort of your favorite chair. Purchase a puzzle, and enjoy the satisfaction of fitting in the final piece. A little effort can go a long way toward improving your outlook on life.

Nursing Care for COVID-19 in Bucks County, PA

COVID-19, while a difficult topic, is also a story of people living full and quality lives. Of course, it’s hard to feel happy when dealing with worries resulting from health or feeling lonely amid the pandemic. If you need any assistance, please also consider your allies at Premier Personal Care. Our vast array of services provides the professional, nonmedical help you need for mobility, household chores, and more —all while offering seniors the tools to fight feelings of loneliness.

Our resources can provide a wealth of useful information about handling loneliness during the pandemic. To learn more about nursing care for COVID-19, you can contact us directly for further assistance in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.