Social cocooning - the new challenge facing rural Ireland

While social distancing could be used as a synonym for rural living in general, there is a new word about to enter our dictionary during COVID-19, which will bring particular challenges for our elderly and vulnerable groups. That is social cocooning.

In his speech on St Patrick’s night, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar warned us that Ireland was about to reach a point whereby we would have to take further drastic measures to protect our elderly and other vulnerable groups.

Social cocooning will mean the elderly and other vulnerable people isolate themselves even further than social distancing recommendations. It will mean avoiding all direct contact with other people in order to protect themselves, creating in effect an isolation within the isolation.

Recent reports from Italy suggest that the people who are most likely to break quarantine rules are precisely those they are most aimed to protect, the elderly. As distancing and cocooning approach their second month of operation in Italy, more and more elderly are finding it harder to cope with the isolation and are starting to congregate in groups in order to feel some social connection.

As this situation may last for an extended period of time, particular care must be taken by those who are cocooning. Unless you have incredible mental health, which most of us don’t, spending long periods on our own is not a great idea, as we can be poor company for ourselves in our own heads. So our ability to cope with cocooning with be determined by how comfortable we are with ourselves.

1 Hijack any opportunity for ‘mood lifts’ throughout your day

During our average day, we meet people and do things that give us a break from our thinking. When we are alone at home that doesn’t happen – and the cumulative effect of this can be huge, especially around the two-week mark. So we need to try new things, anything in fact that will generate a sense of achievement, no matter how small. This might be taking up a new hobby, doing crossword/sudoku puzzles or joining a creative writing group online.

So, do something new. The list is endless. Arts and crafts, knitting, meditation, cooking new foods, learning a new hobby. WhatsApp calls, writing, reading a book, doing DIY or gardening.

2 Keep a healthy diet

Avoid eating junk food or snacking all day as a way to entertain yourself. If you don’t have people bringing food to you, try to sign up to home deliveries from your local meals on wheels or other delivery group. Look for community support groups like the GAA in your local area that can provide support with shopping

3 Engage with nature

Try to get exposure to the outside world. Exercise as much as possible within the limits.

Physical health and mental health are inseparable, so try to create a routine that includes some physical exercise. Failing that, try feeding and watching the birds or farm activities to keep your mind stimulated and engaged with the real world. Open your window and let fresh air in.

4 Upskill yourself in the use of social media

Before you have to cocoon, get someone (even if it is from a distance) to give you a crash course in the use of social media, WhatsApp and even TikTok! However, be careful. Sitting in front of a screen all day is not the best way to spend long periods of time.

5 Maintain a daily routine

While we can all do with having a lazy few days, in the long term this isn’t good. As far as possible, try to maintain as much of a routine as you can. Try to get up and go to bed at healthy times to ensure you get enough sleep. Add value to your day. Life cannot be just eating and sleeping. Do something fun for yourself that isn’t just Netflix.

6 Keep things in perspective

When isolating, we can find it difficult not to spend our time self-reflecting and picking apart everything that is wrong with our life: job, relationships and friendships. When we are bored, it can rapidly suck joy away. So, try to make fun for yourself. This will help you keep this time and life in general in perspective.

7 Stay connected with people

If you feel that you’re beginning to struggle, take some time to call a friend or family member. Try to talk about how you’re feeling. If you don’t have anyone you can speak to, you can call emotional support lines like the Samaritans.

8 Limit your news intake

If watching the news is bothering you, don’t watch it. Seek information updates and practical guidance at specific times during the day from reliable news sources. Avoid listening to rumours that make you feel uncomfortable

And finally, for those who are looking after an elderly relative who is cocooning

Caring for elderly can be difficult under normal circumstance. Concerns such as, how do we manage and supervise simple things like making sure medication is taken correctly, if they are cocooning?

Listening to them and keep them participating is essential, but don’t burn out your own clutch in doing so. You’re no use to anyone if you are on the floor yourself. It’s the short-term memory that’s affected in old age so focus on their long-term memory. Get the grandchildren to use reminiscence therapy with their grandparents. Get them to do a project on Granny’s life when she was their age or chatting to her outside her window.

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