February 9th, 2021
A significant proportion of people over the age sixty-five live alone. The percentage is between 3%-12% across the Hudson Valley, and is higher for women than men. As people continue to socially distance and remain isolated during COVID, it is important to think about mental health impacts for the senior population. Individuals in this group may be less technically adept than younger people and therefore unable to pivot to virtual socializing. As a result, they may be more likely to suffer from loneliness, anxiety, and depression. Health care providers should have a way to identify people suffering from mental health issues that are due to pandemic isolation and to connect them to resources including mental healthcare, as well as ways to stay socially connected. Public Health departments should create messaging to encourage social distancing while also providing information on ways to safely socialize.
