5-02-2023 7:04pm

Post-Pandemic and Other Musings

Christine Larkin Editor

SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - POST-PANDEMIC AND OTHER MUSINGS

It seems like we're out of the woods, but we're not out of the forest. Although most masking and vaccine requirements are behind us, we're still dealing with COVID-19 and the dreaded boosters. Unfortunately, people are still dying from this awful virus, but not nearly at the numbers we've seen over the past few years. Thank you to all those who worked tirelessly to bring this invader under control.

You're probably thinking, why is she writing about this? We don't want to talk about this virus anymore. It's because it has had serious effects on people, and we have changed because of it.

My newsletter is geared to people over 60, and this age group was greatly affected by the pandemic. Many people dealt with isolation, loneliness, and they are still wearing the scars from it. We missed holiday gatherings, birthdays, and other traditional celebrations. I spoke to a young man recently who told me that his high school had to cancel prom. This struck me. Actually, it's one of the things that bothered me most about the pandemic. I thought of all the families who missed out on seeing their children get gussied up in gowns and tuxedos. And don't forget the classic updo! Prom is a right-of-passage for most young adults, and it's a memory that we take with us into adulthood. We all remember who took us to prom.

Among seniors, loneliness is linked to higher rates of depression and anxiety, for example, and social isolation is associated with a greater risk of dementia and of death from all causes. Even before COVID-19, about one-quarter of Americans over age 65 were socially isolated, and more than 40 percent of people over age 60 reported feeling lonely. The pandemic’s arrival left elderly people who lived alone even more isolated than before and cut off those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from family and friends as facilities closed their doors in an attempt to protect residents from visitors. I'm not sure this was such a good idea.

Carla Perissinotto, a professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, has seen up close the impacts that pandemic isolation has had on the elderly, as a practicing geriatrician and palliative physician who cares for older, mostly homebound patients. She also served on the committee that wrote a report in 2020.

In the early days of the pandemic, Perissinotto and her colleagues worked hard to transition their elderly patients to virtual appointments when possible and urged homebound patients to keep getting needed medical care despite the lockdown. “There was just so much fear about letting people get into the home that it was very, very complicated,” explained Perissinotto. “Many of our patients didn’t want us to come into the home, even though we had PPE [personal protective equipment].”

But as the report points out, for some older adults, medical visits are one of the few social contacts they have — and so skipping them had consequences for both physical and mental health.

In my research for this article, I read how among homebound patients, many of them fared fairly well — in the sense that they were somewhat protected at home or very diligent, but still had caregivers coming in and out of the home. But there were others — and a good portion of them reported that isolation and loneliness, together or separately, had dramatic effects on their health. I think some patients have not recovered. I also strongly believe we lost some people prematurely because of this. We must do better next time.

We Need a More Thoughtful Approach Should This Happen Again

People are lonely and isolated for different reasons and at different degrees. It might be a good idea to be more systematic and actually ask people about what’s going on in their lives rather than making assumptions about who is or isn’t lonely.

We’ve come a long way. Had we taken into consideration social health and emotional health and mental health just as strongly as physical health at the outset of the pandemic, we probably could have avoided some of the tremendous loss. We understand the virus now, so hopefully, we'll do better should this happen again.

Opening Doors to Conversation and Connection

While the pandemic has amplified loneliness for many, the silver lining is that its widespread nature made the topic easier for people to discuss, and online webiner's were a great tool. I did quite a few myself. I looked at the pandemic as a time of personal growth, and I took full advantage of the technology available to me.

Even when people don’t want help addressing their problems, just having someone listen and bear witness to their suffering can have value. Sometimes people may just want to be heard, and they may or may not want us to help them fix their problems, but rather just listen to them speak about them.

Let's Get Together and Chat About It

I've had an idea for a while now. I want to talk about how we are post-pandemic, and I want to do it in-person, face-to-face. In my May vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, I presented an idea about having roundtable chats about life post-pandemic. Here are some questions I'm considering addressing: What are you still dealing with? How have you changed? Was it for the better or for the worse? Did you change at all? What are some of the takeaways for you? How is life going for you and your family now? What could you have done differently? These are just some of the things we can talk about. I'm open to any ideas you may have as well.

I have two people onboard so far, but I need more. Please comment below if you would be interested in getting together to chat. You can also email me at christineskylark@aol.com, or you can write a comment under my vlog that is posted on my Facebook page. I'd like to do this monthly and have about a dozen people. We'll see how that goes. We can always add more people as interest grows. This idea is in the incubation period, so I'm still working it out. I can find a location like a diner or a local library to meet. It would be on a donation basis, informal and informative.

Post pandemic is just the start as there are so many things we can talk about. Sali a bordo. Get on board.

Peace and Love,

Skylark

At 60 and Beyond, we aren't afraid to talk about ourselves. We have lots to share to inspire others while helping ourselves.

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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - WOHSEEPEE YARD SALE

This Saturday, May 6, from 10am-4pm, Wohseepee Park and the surrounding neighborhood in Brightwaters is having a yard sale. It's an incredible event. I've been many times. It's one of my favorite things to do all year. So, get your cash in hand and join the fun. I know there's something for everyone.

Wohseepee Park is located at 521 North Windsor Avenue in Brightwaters, New York.

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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK

"Never lose hope. Tomorrow could be the day you've been waiting for."

SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK

What are you doing that's new in your life?

Feel free to comment below. Let's have some fun with this.

SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - MOVE ON UP by CURTIS MAYFIELD

Lyrics

Hush now child and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you by and by
Just move on up towards your destination
Though you may find from time to time complications
Bite your lip and take a trip
Though there may be wet road ahead
And you cannot slip
Just move on up for peace you will find
Into the steeple of beautiful people where there's only one kind
So hush now child and don't you cry
Your folks might understand you by and by
Move on up and keep on wishing
Remember your dream is your only scheme so keep on pushing
Take nothing less than the supreme best
Do not obey rumors people say 'cause you can past the test
Just move on up to a greater day
With just a little faith
If you put your mind to it, you can surely do it

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With Gratitude

Hello and thank you for reading my weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, representing Bay Shore and towns beyond. My articles are about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, music, and places I've been to and things I want to explore. There is also a calendar of upcoming events. Please consider becoming a subscriber. There are several levels, and it’s easy to do. Just open the newsletter and the subscribe button is there. As a subscriber, you will receive a copy of my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. You can also advertise your business or event here as well. You can do it yourself or email me to discuss this at christineskylark@aol.com. You can also PM me. Please follow me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.

I also have an inspirational vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, on the first Monday-of-the-month on my YouTube Channel, Skylark Live. This is designed to inspire people 60 and beyond to continue to thrive through knowledge and self-awareness. Please take a moment to subscribe to my channel and be sure to click the bell to get notified when I upload a new video.

Thank you for your love and support. Andiamo! Let's go!