While COVID-19 has many concerned with their physical health and well-being, psychiatrists, counsellors, and doctors are worried about people鈥檚 mental health 鈥� particularly for seniors.
The pandemic has caused major disruptions to routines and drummed up uncertainty in daily lives, forcing social gatherings to shrink and human connection to be carried out in a multitude of new and unfamiliar ways.
Dr. Hem Phaterpekar, division lead for Fraser Health in geriatric psychiatry, told the Aldergrove Star that the past ten months have been a lot for anyone to process.
鈥淲e saw a similar experience during SARS, but this has lasted a lot longer,鈥� Phaterpekar said. 鈥淭his is a once in a lifetime challenge.鈥�
Dr. Phaterpekar has been in the field for more than 20 years and heads 15 psychiatrists based at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster.
He said everybody has a need to connect and must make it priority.
鈥淥ut of fear or worriment for COVID-19, people 鈥� particularly seniors 鈥� are delaying coming to their hospital appointments or for medical attention and even for their mental health needs.鈥�
Phaterpekar stressed that these delays will only add to the problem and worsen people鈥檚 condition.
He encouraged people to reach out, stay in contact with their doctors and health professionals, and treat mental health in the same way one would treat an illness or physical pain.
鈥淒on鈥檛 try to ignore mental health,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 when the risk of suicide or hurting one鈥檚 self increases.
The doctor added that he understands that it can be difficult for some people to reach out or receive proper care in a timely fashion; the Fraser Health region overall has seen an increase in people accessing mental health resources.
He advised that there are many small practises people can do to keep healthy and their mind active.
鈥淓ating a healthy, balanced diet can go a long way,鈥� Phaterpekar explained. 鈥淎voiding alcohol, smoking, and other substances are also a good idea.鈥�
Phaterpekar encouraged people to take frequent walks for a change in scenery and fresh air.
He said having a structured day in what many may call an 鈥渦nstructured time鈥� can also help ease anxiety.
Phaterpekar suggested journaling or writing about life experiences can help be a creative outlet or somewhat of a positive distraction.
鈥淲atch less news,鈥� he added, noting that too much negative information is bound to cause distress.
鈥淭ry to take everything one week at a time,鈥� Phaterpekar additionally noted.
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While it may seem obvious to some that a lack of communication worsens mental health, Phaterpekar reemphasized that not engaging with others makes the challenge of mental health more difficult.
鈥淲e need to encourage families and friends to communicate more with the seniors in their lives. Give them calls and check in on the more vulnerable,鈥� he said.
Phaterpekar suggested that people send care packages to seniors with activities like puzzles to help ease isolation.
And while there has been an outpouring of support and gifts for seniors in care homes across the country during Christmastime, Phaterpekar asked people to not underestimate the strengths and resilience of senior鈥檚 abilities either.
鈥漇eniors have lived through so many different experiences in life, so in one way their longevity makes them more equipped to handle things like this compared to those who are younger.鈥�
He added that there has a recent incline in progress for senior mental health, explaining that there is a lot more base knowledge, awareness, and usage of technological resources like the internet by the 65-plus crowd than ever before.
鈥淔ocus on the positives,鈥� Phaterpekar advised. 鈥淲e are learning more and we have a vaccine. B.C. has done well in their response. I believe we are eight to 12 weeks away from turning this around.鈥�
If anyone does require mental health assistance, Phaterpekar said there are crisis lines and emotional support available.
The Fraser Health Crisis Line provides emotional support for anything causing personal concern, worry or distress: 1-877-820-7444.
Services include mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, coping strategies, counselling, caregiver support, response to a report of adult abuse or neglect, linking individuals and their families to community services and resources.
The older adult community mental health program provides mental health consultation, assessment, psychiatric treatment and support to people 65 years and older who are experiencing late life onset of mental health symptoms.
Some symptoms may include , confusion, , , or other mental health symptoms that affect the person鈥檚 ability to cope with daily living activities.
People can visit for more resources.
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