COVID-19 has shaken the entire world, causing far and wide social and monetary havoc all over. The most evident and distressing thing is the huge number of lives lost to the pandemic, yet it keeps taking more and more. As authorities keep on trying to wrestle with controlling the pandemic, the lasting effects from this deadly virus still cause irreparable damage to the livelihood of everyone.
Without a doubt, the financial slump is unusual for anything the economy has ever experienced. Over the initial three months of the pandemic, a huge case of joblessness was reported. As the pandemic spreads, a complete shutdown of the economy can be expected.
As agonizing as this scene has been for everyone, it has been particularly going after the older population. While seniors profit through the basic help given through retirement plans, the COVID-19 pandemic has presented uncommon difficulties for this gathering. The most harmful component has been the radically higher fatality for retirement-age people.
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Covid-19’s Impact On Aging and Retirement
Here’s how older people have faced higher levels of difficulty and displacement in the face of this pandemic and recession.
Aging at Home
Since COVID-19 has affected all different areas of the world, it has gotten to the retirement and nursing homes as well; because of the pandemic related death in these institutions, older people are opting out of this life. Moreover, most nursing homes are not equipped well enough to deal with the pandemic and don’t have enough resources available on hand.
People are choosing to stay home and quarantine with their family members instead of spending this difficult time at a care home. The elderly were locked away in senior living centers before this and didn’t have any emotional support from the outside, so aging at home will increase interaction between the younger and older generations.
As there has been an increase in the number of deaths due to COVID-19 in nursing homes, this can prove to be a good thing as age segregation is not likely favored by most retirees.
Decreased Life Expectancy
The pandemic is also disrupting our entire lifestyles as we can’t socialize or engage in any activities outside the confines of our home. A healthy amount of physical and social activities is responsible for healthy mental and physical health.
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Due to being confined to our homes, studies have shown how loneliness is related to causing a decline in our health, leading to depression, heart diseases, and overall cognitive decline; this is especially hard on the older population and can decrease life expectancy.
Technology Boom
Most new technology discoveries are meant to be endorsed by the younger generations. That said, the pandemic has caused most tech entrepreneurs to think about the needs of older people at home as well.
There has been a wave of innovation in the tech field, aimed specifically at the needs of the older generation. Telemedicine has made it possible for people to have appointments with their doctors virtually and keep their health in check.
For example, wearable health devices and diagnostic tests have been very helpful in checking blood pressure, heart rate, and other vital signs and have made it easier for baby boomers to combat the effects of this pandemic.
Re-evaluating How They Spend Their Time
It’s inevitable to spend all your time at home, stuck in one place, not allowed to go anywhere, and not re-evaluate the life choices you have made. Due to all this free time at hand, the older generation is opting for a healthier lifestyle. They are making the most of all the idle time they have on their hands.
It has proven that life is short, and we have to make the most of our limited time on this planet. This has caused a lot of people to reassess how they spend their time and explore new and exciting hobbies.
On the other hand, some senior citizens are also feeling closer to nature, religion, and spirituality. They have more time on their hands, so apps serving prayer times have increased and people are reflecting more on morality, happiness, and connectedness.
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Making End of Life Plans
After the re-evaluation of your life choices, it’s almost impossible not to think about death and make an end of life plans. Older people have been shown a reminder that they are not going to live forever. This has caused them to kick-start, making retirement and aging life plans.
However, this might be a difficult topic for most of us; it’s a smart choice to analyze all the expenses needed for your after-care and end of life planning. There’s a lot of helpful material online.
Saving Up for Retirement
As mentioned above, this pandemic has practically forced us to reassess our life choices; it has also stirred up a lot of mixed feelings about retirement plans in the older generation. In fact, both younger and older members of society have started saving up for when they retire.
Due to the major decline in our economy, it has been made clear that it’s important to cut out extra costs and expenses. It’s also best to have a proper budget and savings dedicated to retirement. Moreover, one needs to work longer and smarter, to be prepared for difficult times. Companies have also adapted to remote working and schedules, so it’s easier for older people.
View Aging in a Different Light
The pandemic has been responsible for causing intergenerational conflicts among different societies. It’s also affected how people belonging to different ages are dealing with this abrupt change of lifestyles.
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This has caused us to think about aging from a different perspective. This is because older people have experienced times like this much longer than the rest of us; it has forced us to see how older people are more resilient in times of crisis.
Takeaway – COVID-19 will Change Aging and Retirement
The pandemic has brought people together. This is because, in times of distress and uncertainty, we are reminded of how much we need to stick together. Coronavirus has also helped remove the gap between generations. It’s brought everyone closer together, regardless of age, as we are all in this together.
Who is the author?
Arslan Hassan is an electrical engineer with a passion for writing, designing, and anything tech-related. His educational background in the technical field has given him the edge to write on many topics.
