Two photos before the pandemic and now show heartbreaking impact of loneliness. Photo / Supplied
Two photos before the pandemic and now show heartbreaking impact of loneliness. Photo / Supplied
We might be in the middle of an unprecedented global pandemic because of coronavirus but there's another health emergency that's unfolding as a result.
Loneliness is on the rise, with social distancing measures meaning family and friends can't connect with elderly loved ones having a heartbreaking impact.
Peggy Wall, 88, has Alzheimer's disease and has been isolation in a nursing home in the US state of North Carolina since the coronavirus pandemic began.
A photo taken just before the pandemic began and one from a few weeks ago show a stark difference in Mrs Wall's appearance, with her family saying she is suffering from loneliness and isolation.
Two photos before the pandemic and now show heartbreaking impact of loneliness. Photo / Supplied
Wall's son Tim Wall told local station WFMY-TV he hasn't seen his mum in months and that the "isolation really is worse than the virus".
"It just feels like you're seeing them disappear before your eyes and there's nothing you can do about it," he said.
Mr Wall understood that nursing homes were required to follow the law but said their approach had not been helpful to his mother.
"I know their hands are tied. They have to do what the governor has mandated, but it's not a holistic approach. They're warehoused; they're fed and watered," he said.
The pandemic was now robbing him of the precious time he had left with his mother, Mr Wall said.
"Time is not your friend, you have to live in the moment," he said.
Two photos before the pandemic and now show heartbreaking impact of loneliness. Photo / Supplied
"And we've lost so many moments. During this time. And just trying to figure out what more can I do."
In North Carolina more than half of the state's coronavirus fatalities have been nursing home residents, with 170 aged care homes experiencing outbreaks.
As a result the state has banned in-person nursing home visits since April, the Charlotte Observer reports.
In Australia nursing homes are being encouraged to still allow visits, however, they can only have a maximum of two visitors at a time.
Visits must take place inside the resident's room or in an outdoor area to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission.
In April, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison warned nursing homes not to restrict visitors to residents.
Loneliness has negative impacts on both your physical and mental health, especially for the elderly.
"There is growing evidence that older people who are lonely or isolated may also be at a higher risk of exacerbating the onset and trajectory of dementia and Alzheimer's disease," Australian Catholic University senior research fellow in aged care Bridget Laging wrote for The Conversation.
Laging said that we needed to find more ways to increase connection with the elderly during coronavirus.
"Technology such as Zoom, Skype and FaceTime, for instance, can support older people in residential aged care to meaningfully connect with family and friends," she said.
"The use of smartphones in aged care settings has already been associated with increased social support for both residents and their families, helping them to feel closer and providing reassurance."
