ALONE more than before. And the fear of that virus that circulates and that has closed the shutters of most of the shops in the neighborhood. The fear of shopping and that mask that always slips. If for the elderly the rhythm of the days remained the same as before, because they did not cross the city to go home or to the office, for them the enemy ‘loneliness’ seems to have become greater. Grandchildren come less often and birthdays are no longer celebrated in restaurants with their children. And after a year nothing seems to have changed.
How is the psychological situation of the elderly? “Strong frustration. Like everyone. And fear. As an elderly person one is attached to life. The elderly, if healthy, still lives himself in relation to others. There are children and grandchildren who are their own projections. And so there is. it is the fear for oneself but even more perhaps the fear for the survival of one’s descendants “, explains the professor Matteo Balestrieri, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Udine and director of the Psychiatric Clinic of the Friuli Centrale University Health Authority.
Professor among the elderly will psychiatric disorders and depressions increase?
“It is estimated that there will be an increase in depression of 20%. Many arrive at the hospital in the clinic, but many stay at home. To help them, in the Psychiatric Clinic of Udine, we have activated a telemedicine service, for which we reach many people at home. Just call us and we will organize ourselves (it’s 0432-559284) “.
Active elderly people, aware that they are only a few years old, have the impression of wasting time
“It may be. What is certain is that living a less active life is strongly linked to the onset of depression. We have a lot of data that correlates depression with lack of exercise.
What are the warning signs in the elderly from your experience?
“The elderly are first of all subject to decay of their cognitive abilities. They need constant stimuli. The cerebral reserve they are endowed with runs the risk of being exhausted. If they do not have relationships, stimuli, not only depression arises but cognitive deficits in different areas, from attention, to concentration, to the ability to plan oneself. If this happens, a series of highly negative events are determined in a chain. Nutrition is no longer taken care of, hydration as well. Yesterday I visited a lady who eats only vacuum-packed sausages. He does not have the strength or the motivation to cook something. All this creates an imbalance of the intestinal flora, our second brain, with negative consequences of an inflammatory and immune type on the central nervous system, with important psychiatric symptoms “.
How to help patients in a time when ‘everything is closed’? And give them some perspective for the future
As I said, we have a telepsychiatry intervention service to turn to. For those who live elsewhere, I remember that it is important to discuss with experts. There are no absolute solutions. For every situation we need to find customized solutions “.
What to do if you live alone? The risk for the elderly is total isolation and loss of contact with reality. A neurological regression
“Very true. Isolation must be avoided absolutely. Loneliness is the enemy to fight, because our brain (and therefore ourselves) needs relationships. Otherwise it becomes impoverished. Sociality is fundamental because it is a primary need, and of love. the other part also determines the failure to satisfy secondary needs, such as those of a healthy life, adequate nutrition, preserved sleep-wake rhythms and hygiene to be maintained “.
Many are concerned about the stopping of vaccine side effects and see no way out
“We all are, but we need to keep faith in our regulatory bodies, which are among the most efficient in the world. Vaccines themselves are the only tool we have and it’s amazing that so many have been created in so little. The risk is that obviously in such a short time the side effects (and also the risk of death) could not be assessed. But we must remain confident, because they are our only salvation “.
How you treat elderly patients. Are drugs useful? Psychotherapy is helpful or they are too old in age to reconsider their behaviors
“Medicines are essential. They are effective at all ages and must be used. They are not addictive, if the right ones are used. There are many psychotherapies, some are less effective. But potentially they can be used at any age, if the capacity is maintained. to adhere to the indications “.
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