JEDDAH: Social distancing may have helped curb the spread of COVID-19 in 萝莉视频, but it has left one of the Kingdom鈥檚 most vulnerable groups 鈥� the elderly 鈥� at risk of loneliness, isolation and depression, experts believe.

As the pandemic hit countries across the globe, 萝莉视频, with its strong family bonds and sense of kinship, faced an added challenge from measures limiting social activity and encouraging the elderly to stay at home.
According to Dr. Aisha Karman, a psychologist and life coach, the consequences for the Kingdom鈥檚 aged population have been severe, with many carrying psychological burdens, such as feeling lonely and unwanted.
Family members also have been faced with a difficult choice of whether to visit elderly relatives.
Those worried about aged relatives鈥� well-being, but too frightened to visit, have been left in an 鈥渋mpossible position,鈥� she told Arab News. However, the elderly 鈥渁re in constant need of a certain type of love and care, and often neglect their own health in desperation,鈥� Karman said.
Safety precautions should be followed, 鈥渂ut this does not mean we cannot visit or ask about them,鈥� she added. 鈥淭he elderly can face psychological issues because they feel unproductive, and family members sometimes think avoiding them is best,鈥� she said. 鈥淏ut they still need love and care. Psychological and emotional resilience is what keeps us going in life, whether we鈥檙e young or old.鈥�
Saudi physical therapist Rahaf Meer was one of many who faced the moral dilemma of visiting an older relative. Meer鈥檚 grandmother suffers from Alzheimer鈥檚 and misinterpreted restrictions intended for her safety as neglect. 鈥淚 started thinking, 鈥榳hat鈥檚 worse? Not knowing if I鈥檓 a silent carrier 鈥� even though I tested negative 鈥� and possibly harming her? Or not visiting her at all because I鈥檓 paranoid? She is old and we are not promised tomorrow,鈥� Meer told Arab News.
鈥淚 visited her so she wouldn鈥檛 be alone and she is starting to forget the people around her. I used to video call her and remind her: 鈥業t鈥檚 me, Rahaf.鈥� It鈥檚 different when I visit her for some reason; she immediately recognizes me.
鈥淏ut she still asks me why I sit so far away from her, and asks her caregiver to push her wheelchair closer. She wonders why I won鈥檛 eat with her and tells me to sit nearer. It breaks my heart every time I reject her simple request,鈥� Meer added.
Those fortunate enough to live with their family members say the pandemic restrictions have had less impact. Jawaher Ghazzawi, a grandmother, lives with her two of her daughters and is happy she is not living alone. 鈥淚 am scared to go out. I hate wearing a mask and I can鈥檛 handle breathing through it. My sons come to visit me and keep their distance. I haven鈥檛 gone outside my house for six months,鈥� she told Arab News. However, despite her fear, she cannot go without seeing her grandchildren.
鈥淚 am emotionally exhausted, but I鈥檓 happy my sons and grandchildren come to visit. My grandchildren run to hug me and my son says: 鈥楴o, don鈥檛 hug your grandmother.鈥� I tell him to let them. We must not let children go through any distress.鈥�
Ghazzawi said the doctors鈥� warning that the elderly were most at risk from the 鈥渁ffected me emotionally. Ramadan and Eid Al-Fitr passed and I didn鈥檛 spend them with brothers and sisters. All we have to do is be patient.鈥�
Abdul Aziz Al-Kinani, an infectious diseases specialist and attending resident at the King Abdul Aziz Airport health facility, said safety precautions have become a part of people鈥檚 everyday lives and, if done correctly, there is no need for panic.
鈥淢any elderly complain that their relatives aren鈥檛 visiting them. But the reason is the visitor worries he or she might pass the virus on,鈥� he said.
鈥淛ust as we prepare to go out to malls or restaurants following the safety precautions, we can do the same when visiting the elderly.
鈥淭he precautions should be normal but in line with safety measures. Masks, sanitizers, all health precautions became part of our lifestyle. They are easy steps to follow and are not an excuse to avoid visiting elderly relatives,鈥� Al-Kinani said. 鈥淚f everyone is following the precautions, there is no reason to be afraid.鈥�