Social Isolation as a High-Risk Elder

It's a Marathon, 

Not a Sprint

A friend said this had been the longest month of her life. I paused. Qatar University switched to distance learning on March 10. Had it been the longest seven weeks of my life? 

The answer is no. I've had practice. In 2005, I had a tri-malear fracture of my left ankle just before Christmas. While friends gathered for celebrations, I sat home with my leg elevated for 8 weeks. The injury set off a cascade of related events.

Two years later, as the cartilage failed, I had ankle fusion surgery.  That required ten weeks of social isolation, recovering with my leg propped up on pillows in bed. 

But, in week 8 or 9, I fell out of a car door trying to get to my wheeled walker and broke my sternum. That was another four to six weeks back in bed, now hopping around on one leg the short distance to my bedside potty chair. I saw my nurses, my housekeeper, and a few friends during those three months. Luckily, I had two dogs to keep me company. 

A couple of years after that, I had heel fusion surgery when the cartilage failed. Another 8 weeks in bed, but this time in the company of my father and step-mom. 

With the prospect that I will be in social isolation until they find a vaccine (assuming they find one), I must get my head around this. I saw a shift this week in my mindset. I rearranged my home office to make me more productive. I developed a couple of pandemic-related topics for two law review articles I could write this summer. I have created a rhythm in my days that includes exercise, yoga, meditation, doing dishes, cooking, and reading. I finish the days with some Netflix or DVDs. I am enjoying more sleep and less stress. 

I will have more Zoom conversations with family and friends. They really are refreshing. 

For me, this is a marathon, not a sprint, and may require a similar mindset of perseverance and tolerance for discomfort.

For another perspective from a person suffering from a chronic disease, see here.