There are also older people who take to the streets to help others. They take the risk of infection for granted. For example, Frits de Koning (83) delivers meals as a volunteer for a home care organization in Southeast Brabant. “The elderly cannot or should not leave the house and have no supporters who bring food and groceries. Should they starve then?”
“I keep to the protocol. Keep my distance and hand it over at the door. If people can’t get to the door, I put on gloves,” says De Koning. “These people have been through the war. So have I. I know that if we roll up our sleeves, we will overcome this disaster as well.”
‘Measures don’t just take effect’
They recognize the phenomenon at the ANBO elderly association. “We hear that most elderly people are afraid of the virus and therefore stay at home,” said spokesperson Bernadet Naber. “But there is a smaller part that does not adhere to the advice from the government. They are less worried. They say that they have experienced a lot in their lives or that corona is something like a flu.”
The organization urges members to follow the advice of RIVM. “We tell you that these measures really don’t just apply. If you don’t do it for yourself, do it for someone else. Because you can ignite people.”
But why then does a small group ignore the advice, however noble the reason sometimes is?
“If we want to see a behavioral change – because that is what the government is asking for – then a number of variables must first change,” says behavioral psychologist Martin Appelo. “People have to see the urgency and they have to experience a high pressure of suffering.” The latter means that people will personally feel the negative consequences of the coronavirus. “That is not happening yet. For some it only becomes urgent when they see their card club collapse like a house of cards, so to speak.”
In addition, it is difficult to change behavior if there is no alternative. “Many alternatives for social contact are digital. Not all older people have embraced them yet.” Peer pressure also plays a role, because “if the whole group that you normally sport or bridge with still does, you will continue to do so.”
Define borders
Concerned children, friends or neighbors can choose to address older loved ones about their behavior. “You always have to see how you can best tackle this,” says Appelo.
“You can make the problem more urgent by telling who has been affected in the immediate vicinity by the virus. You can go further by setting limits, for example by saying that you reduce contact if they do not isolate themselves anymore. What you always has to do is keep offering alternatives. For example, teach them how to use Skype or Facetime. “
ANBO is also fully committed to other ways of coming together. Naber: “People can call us seven days a week to talk. And from today we started yoga classes on Facebook.”
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