Finding The Silver Lining: Positives Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic

Press release from Home Instead:

March 21, 2021

These past 12 months have been difficult to say the least. Celebrations cancelled. Missed milestones. Lives and livelihoods have been lost. It’s hard to remember a time when so many heartbreaking headlines filled the news cycle. But through the challenges and heartache of the COVID-19 pandemic, there have also been stunning instances of hope, perseverance and community – particularly among the aging population.

The additional strain of the pandemic on older adults has been widely reported. The increased risk COVID-19 poses to their health because of their age also leaves them more susceptible to feelings of loneliness and isolation due to social distancing measures. Yet over the last year, as many as eight in ten seniors found ways to not only maintain but deepen their relationships with friends and loved ones.

From prioritizing alternate ways to spend time with family and friends, to embracing new forms of connection through technology, older adults have demonstrated ingenuity to find silver linings. For example, one in four seniors feels more connected to younger loved ones over the last year. Silver linings like these offer light in what felt like a dark year and gives hope for even better days ahead.

In these unprecedented times, the kindness of a family member, friend or even a stranger can make a meaningful difference. Below, Home Instead outlines ways you can help create silver linings for older adults in your life.

1. Schedule time for connection: Establish a weekly call and plan time to touch base with older relatives and friends – even if it’s only for a few minutes each week. If they aren’t familiar with using virtual platforms or video calling, offer to show them how it works. In fact, one in four seniors feels more comfortable using technology than they did this time last year. These small moments of connection will likely turn into something they look forward to all week long.
2. Become a pen pal or send snail mail: Some older adults can go days or weeks without hearing from another person, and this has only been exaggerated by the pandemic. Sending a letter in the mail is a personal, simple gesture that can brighten anyone’s day. Programs like Home Instead’s Pen Pals even allows you to connect with seniors in your community or across the country.
3. Volunteer at a local organization: Volunteering can add to your sense of community, which is vital at times like these. Even small acts of kindness such as offering to shovel snow or signing up to deliver groceries makes life easier for those in need.
4. Check in on neighbors: Checking in with the older adults on your street or in your apartment building is a great way to not only make those around you feel loved, but helps you feel more connected. There are many ways to check-in and show you care.
5. Teach a new skill: Sometimes one of the best ways to keep a positive frame of mind is to learn a new skill. Consider teaching your loved one a new skill such as cooking a favorite recipe or sharing your hobbies with them as a way to grow your relationship.

This last year has been challenging for all of us – but especially so for the aging population. Use this time to make a positive impact on those around you and encourage others to look for the silver linings in their lives.

This press release was produced by Home Instead. The views expressed here are the author's own.