This Article is focused on the following Sustainable Development Goals
COVID-19 has affected everyone’s health in one way or another: whether it be mental or physical. However, as demonstrated by their high death rate, the most susceptible citizens are seniors, aged 60 and above. The elderly live each coming day with great fear and should they be living alone in Care Homes, some may suffer from homesickness as well. Studies have shown that isolation creates feelings of loneliness, which leads to lesser stability in mental, physical, and emotional health and thus a lower quality of life. This is why every inkling support towards the elderly benefits a great deal.
One way the youth can contribute towards the SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being while in quarantine is through ‘Love For The Elderly.’ This is an organisation based in the United States that connects teens and seniors citizens throughout the world through the medium of handwritten letters and video notes. They work closely with certain senior centres and any volunteer is welcome to sign up to either write a letter (which will be mailed to them) or send in a video. This is an innovative yet easy way to make sure that our seniors feel safe and happy through these tough times.
‘Love For The Elderly’ analysed their impact and found that most seniors appreciate
handwritten letters over emails. Hence, if you live in a country where ‘Love For The Elderly’ cannot reach, you could launch your own organisation that functions in a similar manner. Ask your friends to write and decorate letters, contact a senior centre nearby, and drop off the letters as a random act of kindness! WHO has also confirmed that the Coronavirus cannot be contracted through paper so this would be safe for the seniors. However, if you are unable to step out of your house, video notes work well too.
Although the impact of this project may seem small, it will be long-lasting as random acts of kindness are always remembered. Studies have shown that the person who performs the Random Act of Kindness also benefits equally from them due to increased levels of serotonin, endorphins, and a longer lifetime. Kindness also decreases depression, anxiety and stress, which eventually leads to a healthy life and promotes well-being.
Furthermore, other studies have shown that nearly 44% of seniors living in Residential Care have some form of depression. Showing the elderly that there is someone out there who cares for them, even if it is a stranger, could mean a lot to them. It could increase their willingness to live by improving their mental health, or by showing them the light at the end of the tunnel by forging new relationships. It could also simply be an opportunity for you to connect with others.
In conclusion, this project or these random acts of kindness, even though extremely small, can go a very long way in ensuring that the elderly are doing well. Remember, change starts with you.
External Resources
Statistics on the Mental health of older adults
Love for the Elderly: https://lovefortheelderly.org/
Facts on Random Acts of Kindness for the doer: https://www.dartmouth.edu/wellness/emotional/rakhealthfacts.pdf
Works Cited
Analysis In Brief. Canadian Institute For Health Information, 2010, https://secure.cihi.ca/free_products/ccrs_depression_among_seniors_e.pdf. Accessed 11 June 2020.
“COVID-19.” Love for the Elderly, lovefortheelderly.org/covid19.
Kindness Health Facts. Dartmouth, https://www.dartmouth.edu/wellness/emotional/rakhealthfacts.pdf. Accessed 11 June 2020.
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