Pandemic Antidote: "The best senior living communities are vibrant places that set their residents up for a meaningful life of family, new friends, and the resources they need, both in times of crisis and normal times.".

• Author: Sherwood, Sarah
• Position: MIND & BODY

MORE THAN one in seven Americans, or 16% of the U.S. population, is over age 65, and as baby boomers mature, that percentage is only growing. Our seniors not only are large in number, they are one of the most vulnerable populations, especially to the COVID-19 virus. They have experienced a hyper-alert public response to their health and safety as medical specialists told them to stay home, mask whenever possible, and protect themselves and their families, but there was less focus on or discussion about seniors' mental health and the toll these restrictions would have on them.

We are only now recognizing the grief, isolation, and loneliness of those who have experienced the risk of death and loss of their friends and family members from COVID-19, and because their social isolation has felt especially strict in terms of social distancing requirements, particularly in the earliest phases of the pandemic, there are wounds that will take years to heal, if ever. However, there is an interesting twist in this story. Some seniors actually fared better than younger adults when it comes to mental health. The key is self-care that leads to resilience.

When the pandemic swept across the U.S. two years ago, the first and most devastating consequences were among seniors residing in nursing homes, dying in outrageous numbers. In the beginning of the pandemic, AARP reported more than one death for every 200 nursing home residents. Deaths in long-term care facilities accounted for over one-third of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths, eventually rising to as high as 43% of all COVID-19-related fatalities. More than 200,000 long-term care facility residents and staff have died due to COVID since the start of the pandemic, and this does not include the assisted living population.

Columbia University studied seniors during the pandemic and found that two-thirds reported financial challenges that led to hunger, stress, and worry about the future. The rates of anxiety and depression among seniors doubled from pre-pandemic times to 17% for anxiety and to 18% for depression. The key problem was a lack of community or isolation from supportive peers and family.

Amy Goyer, AARP's national family and caregiving specialist, says that the pandemic brought the issue of isolation to life. "We have all been isolated, so there is a broader understanding of the challenges that isolated older adults have historically faced. Prior to the pandemic, AARP's research indicated about one-third of older adults were lonely. By August of 2020, two-thirds of older adults were experiencing social isolation."

Goyer's role is key to AARP's mission of serving older adults, where she provides education and support for family caregivers, including moderating AARP's Family Caregivers...