Do you know an elderly person living in a retirement home ?

How is life for them right now ?
I just chatted with my mother who lives in such a place. She and pretty much most residents there are getting depressed. I haven't been allowed to visit her in months and for good reason.
However, all things considered, it looks like they will not be allowed vistors for their own safety until some time next year.

They can't leave their rooms unless they are wearing a mask. They now eat in their room and not in the dining hall.

Life for them is sucking, but it's for their own good.
It's quite a terrible conundrum.

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Piper · 61-69, F

I do, yes. My aunt is 93, soon to be I [i]hope[/i], 94...next month. I've been talking with her a little more often than usual, during this time. Although she is restricted in getting out much anyway, I know these current restrictions have been pretty hard for her in various ways.

Her mind is as sharp as ever, and she can still enjoy certain things she has in the past, but the isolation is tough. I suspect she might be getting depressed, but has rarely been one to show it.

SweetMae · 70-79, F

@Piper Do they bring her meals to her room?

Piper · 61-69, F

@SweetMae Yes. Although she sometimes opted not to go to the dining room before this, I do think not being to go out at all has been hard for her. One of the times we last spoke, she'd just washed and curled her own hair. That is really challenging, due to a shoulder issue and surgery.

SweetMae · 70-79, F

@Piper I'm so sorry. My father misses his daily table mates.

Piper · 61-69, F

I'm so sorry that you can't even talk to your dad on the phone, @SweetMae. That would be at least some consolation I'd imagine, for both of you.

Wraithorn · 51-55, M

@Piper It's a terrible conundrum. The older people are the more they need family but they're also more in danger if family do visit because of this virus.

Piper · 61-69, F

@Wraithorn Yes. I do think many older people might be feeling this lack of direct contact with others more, in many ways. It has to be emotionally painful also of course, for those who are younger and cannot be there with and for them.