In the spring of 2020, when COVID-19 reached Ukraine, the message “Let’s take care of the elderly!” was constantly heard on social networks, in conversations between friends and in the news. People were sharing life hacks: how to order food delivery for the elderly, how to convince grandparents not to leave the apartments. Older people also listened carefully to the recommendations of the Ministry of Health and followed them in a disciplined manner. Unfortunately, these tips had everything – wash your hands, stay home, avoid contact, but nothing about what to do with anxiety, panic, with whom to communicate, how to ensure at least a minimum of physical activity.
Why are these old people “so capricious”
Scientists from the Ivan Zyazyun Institute of Pedagogical and Adult Education of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine began to act starting from the first days of quarantine.
The team was formed in a flash, it included doctors of sciences, young scientists, practical psychologists. The experience of two main directions of the institute – a powerful psychological and pedagogical school – came in handy.
The project was called “Psychological support for the elderly during quarantine. The work began without waiting for the announcement of the winners. When they learned that they had won, they were very happy, because they finally had the funds to implement ideas and plans.
The main idea of the project is to help elderly people in difficult life circumstances and their relatives to overcome the difficulties of quarantine restrictions. And also – to promote the development of personality in late adulthood.
The work is designed for two years. In 2020, scientists worked on the applied part of the project. The team shot ten videos, opened the YouTube channel “Age of the Chosen”, created pages “Psychological support for the elderly” on social networks. And also – created a brochure “Ten tips for the elderly during quarantine”, prepared booklets for the elderly and their families.
In 2021, the project participants plan to focus on social and medical workers who provide services to the elderly, but do not have the necessary training in the psychology of late adulthood. The results of the work should be a manual, webinars, workshops, radio broadcasts, scientific-practical conference, etc.
I ask Olena Hryhorivna: why do older people often behave strangely and incomprehensibly to others?
Ms. Olena explaines: during late adulthood (at the age of 60+) a person experiences an age crisis, the social status changes, a person has less physical strength. She feels vulnerable, ceases to enjoy life. It is very important that people who are experiencing this crisis have someone to talk to, to laugh with, to plan walks and other activities. Unfortunately, in March 2020, such communication suddenly stopped. To the age crisis of the elderly was added the crisis of the whole planet.
Valuing own experience and going for new victories
The recommendations of psychologists are simple and effective. The main message: to organize your life and thus restore inner peace. Psychologists advise where to look for communication and support, what to do, how to keep fit.
The videos are titled: “How to find inner balance when the environment is restless”, “How to find a common language with grandchildren”, “My children – they do not understand me”, “What to do at home when you can not go outside”, “How to maintain health and physical strength “,” How to find solace during quarantine “,” I’m home all the time: where and how do I talk to someone “,” How to make your life happier “,” Where to look for answers and support in different situations “,” How to help parents when the country is in turmoil “and so on. After listening to these videos, older people realize who they can turn to for psychological support and, most importantly, they will understand that anxious and panicky thoughts (which they are very ashamed of) are a normal reaction to a crisis situation.
Of course, not all older people have gadgets and access to the Internet. How to convey this information to them?
To do this, the project team created a brochure “Ten tips for the elderly during quarantine” and booklets. In the brochure, the researchers explain that every period of life is valuable and important, that many people reach the peak of their careers after the age of sixty. They advise to value the life experience, strive for development, be active, go for new victories, even small ones.
Both the brochure and the booklets are freely available, have a large font, and are nicely decorated.
At the age 55 life is just beginning!
Scientists face a difficult task: to make the book as useful as possible not only from a scientific point of view, but, at the same time, to present the material in simple and accessible language, so that people without higher education can use the advice and recommendations.
The project participants are also considering a program of five-day workshops, during which social workers will be trained to interact with older people.
In the previous classification of the World Health Organization, the age of 55 + was considered to be advanced. But the world is changing, and during lectures the scientist always emphasizes: at the age of 55 life is just beginning!
Svitlana GALATA
