Our alternative world is their ordinary

The sun rises and she wakes, her circadian rhythm acting as a natural alarm. She is met by a warm embrace from the fluffy robe, providing her comfort as she shuffles into the kitchen. It is early, and the sun’s rays are struggling to peek through the paned windows; the shadows cover the room. 

The daily plastic organizer with colored pills awaits her on the counter. Each pill crying out to temporarily help an ache in the body. Her mind is still sharp as ever; her own body becomes a trap. 

The quiet hum of the refrigerator fails to mask the reality of the situation — isolation is lonely. The day creeps along, the dull hum becoming louder. By lunchtime it is clear that there are few tasks to complete during the day: make meals for one, tidy and watch TV. 

The screen of the TV glows over the living room and the chair that has a permanent imprint from hours of staring at the news. A couple of phone calls from the family helps occupy the day in between the mundane time-fillers. 

Some afternoons are lucky when warmth prompts a day in the garden. The tree in the back has grown, unrecognizable from 20 years ago. The leaves take over the yard, each one adding a layer to the collection that lays at the trunk. With each leaf that falls, the clock keeps ticking and these days sound unbearably slow. 

This story feels familiar because of quarantine. While the time spent in isolation for most feels unorthodox, there is a population that would consider the weeks ordinary. 

How have we felt during this time in isolation? Scared, bored and desperate for human connection? Now is time to move forward with an empathetic understanding for those who live in a constant quarantine. 

The U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) claims that there is a “loneliness epidemic.” The primary population that is affected by this epidemic are senior citizens.  

The Campaign to End Loneliness has done research on the universal effect that loneliness can have on all ages. Loneliness has an effect on emotional experiences, but also physical health that can lead to fatal results. 

The Missing Million report has 62 pages dedicated to finding out more about the loneliest communities. They state that “51 percent of all people ages over 75 and over live alone.” Senior isolation has gotten worse in the past decade and hasn’t shown signs of stopping. 

The statistics and empathy about feeling isolated now resonates with everyone. So, what can we do? Sadly, the world can’t change overnight. Start out small with people you know who face isolation as a regular part of life — not just because of the quarantine. Senior isolation can be combated with simple means of offering help with transportation, companionship, prioritizing time and active listening. 

Isolation felt slow, like it was exciting to see a bird fly by the window, slow. There is an opportunity to take this time to change the norms. Don’t waste the lesson!