By Sampada Anuranjanee Khatiwada

Kathmandu, Apr. 5: Amid the lockdown enforced by the government to combat COVID-19 pandemic leaving the entire nation in utter silence, it has become quite a task for old age people to spend time within the confines of home.
The elderly people are finding it difficult to cope up with the concept of social distancing, quarantine and isolation. Also, the fact that they’re exposed to the threat of being attacked by the virus has increased their anxiety in the midst of global crisis.
“Retired life is boring at best, but I have been bored to tears due to the lockdown,” said Ramnath Mishra, 76, of Chabahil. “Visiting the temple in the morning and strolling out during evening to buy vegetables used to be my daily routine before the lockdown.”
“Now we have nothing to do except watching television. The television also showcases sad and depressing news about the virus, thereby increasing our fear,” he added.
Mishra said that he, along with his wife, had stopped watching TV and following the news to avoid weariness. “Although we used to spend our days at home before the lockdown, we had never felt this lethargic as we do not get to freshen up by going out,” added Mishra.
“My father is 86 and he has been finding it hard to stay all day long,” said Krishnaman Shrestha, 55, of Gongabu. “He used to go for walks every day and visit a Gumba nearby, where he used to meet his friends and listen to Bhajans.”
He says that his mind had been dulled due to the lockdown as he doesn’t get to go outside and meet his mates, added Shrestha.
Shrestha said that his father had been complaining about how he had nothing to do to pass time.
Likewise, Alisha Maharjan, 23, of Baneshwor said, “My grandmother, who is 82 comes to me every day in the morning and asks how were we going to spend the day.”
Maharjan said the fact that the old-aged were exposed to risk, if infected by the virus, had made her grandmother more anxious.
“I have been trying my best to keep her busy so that she wouldn’t feel bored and anxious to stay in all day,” said Maharjan. “We just finished watching all episodes of Mahabharata together and now we are planning to watch Ramayan.”
“The youth are equipped with various mediums to spend time during the lockdown, unlike the old-aged. It is not easy for them to kill time and we should be their friend and help them avoid boredom, anxiety and fear,” added Maharjan. “After all, grandparents love spending time with their grandchildren.”
Dr Prakash Budathoky, a psychiatrist, said that the old-aged group was most likely to suffer from anxiety during the lockdown.
Firstly, most of the old-aged people already suffer from various diseases and the threat of the virus
tends to make them more anxious,

hence affecting their health, said Dr Budathoky.
Secondly, the elderly people have a habit of strolling around their neighbourhood and spend time with their friends and acquaintances, he added.
“The lockdown and the practice of social distancing has left the old-aged alone, ultimately affecting their psychological condition,” said Dr Budathoky.
He added that it was the duty of rest of the family members to take care of the elderly and not let them feel lonely.
“The family members should make sure that their parents or grandparents do not consume depressing news and information about COVID-19,” said Dr Budathoky.
“The old-aged should be given nutritious and healthy food that would boost their immune system,” added Dr Budathoky. “Also, the family members should be with the elderly all the time to make sure that they do not feel bored and lethargic.”