Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Nov 27, 2024 2:52:59 GMT
Study finds Covid gave rise to hidden pandemic - Published Nov 26, 2024
By Marianna Kakaounaki
The Covid-19 pandemic in Greece didn’t just expose the vulnerability of the elderly – it magnified it.
A recent study funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation found that while state measures protected lives, they also deepened isolation among seniors. The pandemic disrupted vital community services, including soup kitchens and family support systems, compounding loneliness and economic stress.
Researchers from the University of the Aegean conducted interviews with over 120 elderly individuals and healthcare professionals, revealing a grim reality. “The loneliness was like dying daily,” one participant said, reflecting the emotional toll of prolonged isolation. Beyond mental health struggles, the suspension of regular medical care led to missed diagnoses and deteriorating health for many.
Despite the hardships, resilience and creativity shone through. Communities transformed balconies into gathering spaces, and neighbors reached out with offers of help. But the study underscored a haunting truth: For Greece’s elderly, loneliness became a second pandemic.
By Marianna Kakaounaki
The Covid-19 pandemic in Greece didn’t just expose the vulnerability of the elderly – it magnified it.
A recent study funded by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation found that while state measures protected lives, they also deepened isolation among seniors. The pandemic disrupted vital community services, including soup kitchens and family support systems, compounding loneliness and economic stress.
Researchers from the University of the Aegean conducted interviews with over 120 elderly individuals and healthcare professionals, revealing a grim reality. “The loneliness was like dying daily,” one participant said, reflecting the emotional toll of prolonged isolation. Beyond mental health struggles, the suspension of regular medical care led to missed diagnoses and deteriorating health for many.
Despite the hardships, resilience and creativity shone through. Communities transformed balconies into gathering spaces, and neighbors reached out with offers of help. But the study underscored a haunting truth: For Greece’s elderly, loneliness became a second pandemic.