Seniors should socialise while adhering to SOP, says expert

Prof Tan says it is better to provide information to seniors on the pandemic and let them make their own decision.

Everyone, including seniors, should follow the standard operating procedures (SOP) but those in their golden years must also make the effort to go out for recreational activities.

“It is important for seniors to socialise and stay active, ” said Universiti Malaya Medical Centre consultant geriatrician Prof Dr Tan Maw Pin.

“It is all right to go out of the house for a cup of coffee to catch up with a friend.

“Just follow the SOP and do all that is necessary to be safe, and socialise responsibly.”

She said that if one’s mental health was affected by staying at home for too long, then the solution was to go out.

Rohaini says volunteers try to limit their visits but still make sure that the clients are monitored.

“But if you have Covid-19 symptoms, don’t go out, ” she emphasised.

Prof Tan said it was better to provide information to the seniors on the pandemic and let them make their own decision, instead of telling them what not to do.

Based on her findings, she said it was not all doom and gloom for the seniors.

“They are less anxious and there is no increase in the number of those feeling depressed, at least from what I gathered, ” she noted.

Meanwhile, Persatuan Kebajikan Usiamas Malaysia (Usiamas) president Datuk Rohaini Mohd Yusof said its volunteers’ routine had been disrupted because of the conditional movement control order.

“The volunteers try to limit their visits but still make sure that the clients are monitored.”

She said the volunteers had to take care of their health too and not get infected.

“Our volunteers are frontliners in a way.

“These seniors will be lonely without these Usiamas volunteers who also help to clean the houses of the clients and assist them with hospital visits.

“Clients sometimes cook and invite the volunteers to come visit as it is also a way for them to socialise, ” added Rohaini.