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Social support, spirituality key to elderly people’s mental health
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strong social support network and spiritual life are key for elderly people to maintain their mental health amid the COVID-19 pandemic, so concluded a recent press conference organized by non-profit organization Alzheimer’s Indonesia.
The press conference, held in early September, featured, among others, Alzheimer Asia Pacific regional director DY Suharya, who also founded Alzheimer’s Indonesia, Alzheimer’s Indonesia executive director Michael Dirk Roelof Maitimoe and Atma Jaya Catholic University neurologist and medicine school dean Yuda Turana.
Also present was 70-year-old Indonesian actress Widyawati Sophiaan, who shared her experiences in managing her mental health during these stressful times.
Suharya highlighted the importance of discussing the mental health of the elderly during the pandemic, as they are the most vulnerable segment of the population to the coronavirus. "Individuals aged 65 and above account for 86 percent of all COVID-19-related deaths," she stated in a press release.
Both Yuda and Michael explained that loneliness was the primary mental health problem faced by the elderly during COVID-19. They warned that if left unaddressed for a long period of time, chronic loneliness could lead to depression among elderly people, wreaking havoc on their overall health.
This is why elderly people must rely more than ever on their precious relationships with loved ones, according to both experts.
Widyawati said she considered herself very lucky to be able to live with her son, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters, aged 7 and 16, during the coronavirus outbreak.
She added that her other son, along with his wife and two girls also visited her at home once a week, while taking the necessary health measures, such as wearing face masks and showering upon entering her house, before enjoying any family activities.
Meanwhile, Elisabeth Sianturi Korompis, a 61-year-old retiree from South Tangerang, Banten, said that thankfully, she had not gotten lonely despite living alone.
Like Widyawati, Elisabeth also welcomes relatives regularly to her home, while also following strict health measures. Sometimes, she also visits her relatives’ homes.
She has also maintained contact with her various friends and family members using WhatsApp and Zoom, including staying in touch with her 89-year-old uncle who lives in the Netherlands.
Circling back to spirituality, Zoom also helps Elisabeth to practice her religion and enjoy social support from her fellow churchgoers by participating in a regular virtual bible study program.
“Surrendering to God helps me control my fears and anxieties,” she said. A bonus: studying the good book with others also stimulates her mind.
Widyawati echoed Elisabeth, saying that religion also gave her great comfort.
“Whenever I do my shalat prayer, I always pray not only for my own health and that of my family members, but also that God protects everyone across the globe amid these trying times,” Widyawati told The Jakarta Post in an exclusive phone interview.
Contrary to the negative stereotypes about older people, those interviewed by the Post remain highly active with both work and hobbies, which has also helped to stave off anxiety during the pandemic.
For instance, Elisabeth, who has reinvented herself into an insurance agent upon retirement, is taking online courses on investment via Zoom. On a lighter side, she also gardens for pleasure.
Meanwhile, Widyawati has just resumed acting in front of the camera, after on-location filming was suspended for some time at the beginning of the pandemic. She said strict health protocols were followed on set.
For instance, each crew member must take a rapid test to make sure they are COVID-19 negative, before being allowed to work.
“I have two new films lined up. I’ve completed filming for one and am about to start acting in the other,” she explained.
Last but not least, Widyawati and Elisabeth both said they exercise almost every day, watch their diets carefully to ensure they get all the nutrition they need and make sure they get enough sleep, keeping true to the idea that a healthy body houses a healthy soul.
Suharya, meanwhile, advised young people to spend more time with their elderly family members.
Drawing upon her own experiences taking care of her elderly parents, Suharya has a golden rule for youngsters to follow while interacting with their elders: “put away your smartphones and give them your undivided attention”.
As a youngster in his late 20s himself, Michael said that spending time with elderly family members was equally as important for a family’s younger members.
“I have also committed to increasing my efforts to maintain good relationships with my elderly family members. I find that by doing that, we enhance each other’s health,” he said.
