ALLENTOWN, Pa. (WLVT) - Senior citizens around the world are isolating themselves because of the coronavirus. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, they are at higher risk for severe illness.
The Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services is encouraging seniors living on their own, not to leave the home unless it’s absolutely necessary.
“I’ve been in the aging service for 20 years and I’ve never seen anything like this,” JR Reed, Executive Director of Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adult Services said.
Reed says although senior citizens should limit their contact with others, the isolation from friends, family and caregivers can bring its own set of problems.
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is concerned about the isolation some seniors may be experiencing, but says it’s not a new problem.
“Social isolation is serious in the adult population and in fact it’s on the rise,” Lisa Marsh Ryerson, President of the AARP Foundation said. “I think about the state of Pennsylvania whereas it relates to loneliness, over one million Pennsylvanians are at risk right now and that’s before the pandemic took hold.”
According to Ryerson, social isolation can have the same negative health benefits of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
“We can be really great neighbors,” Ryerson said. “Now is the time to pick up the phone to teach an older adult to use video chat, to step up and help our older neighbors in need. I’m hopeful that those habits that are becoming more natural occurring this time during the pandemic, are habits that will be rooted and continue post pandemic.”
Michael Manento, 79, of Bethlehem is a retired Bethlehem Steel accountant. His lives in the apartment next door to his girlfriend of 20 years, Mel Master. Manento says they are taking the virus very seriously and they are even worried about coming in contact with each other too much.
“At our age we value our lives,” Manento said. “Worked hard to stay healthy all our lives. And we just don’t want to take a chance of anyone giving us the virus or being in contact. So, we’re willing to do what we have to do to stay alive.”
Manento says he and his girlfriend have what they need and are not relying on programs like the Aging and Adult Services or AARP, but he says he understands there are plenty who do.
“Sometimes people do forget about us, but we worked hard in our life to get up to this age,” Manento said. “We want to continue to go on further.”
If you are a senior in need of assistance visit Connect2Affect.org or call the Lehigh County Office of Aging and Adults Services at (610) 782-3034.