ROME. Since March, the elderly of the RSA affected by Covid have not been able to receive the comfort of family members and volunteers. A suffering in suffering, which can finally be alleviated. With a circular approved by the Scientific Technical Committee and sent yesterday morning to the RSA and retirement homes, the Minister of Health Roberto Speranza gives the green light to visits to coronavirus patients. The one who promoted this “safe” reopening is the Elderly Assistance Commission, chaired by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia. Isn’t it dangerous to allow these inputs?
“The pandemic has hit residential guests hard. Caution is important, but it must be recognized that the problem of infections in residences depended only marginally on visits, practically eliminated from the beginning of the emergency. We only note that the prolonged period of closure of all forms of contact has caused further serious problems for the guests ».
Which?
“Real abandonment syndromes, caused by the desertification of relationships”.
What are the consequences?
«Pathologies and increase in health demand. New specific evidences are emerging in these months. In the Italian Comet study on 20 thousand participants, a high frequency of depression and anxiety was found among the elderly during the lockdown period. Researches conducted in various areas of the world also report physical as well as mental consequences of isolation and reduced access to care and social relationships ».
Can isolation be called a cause of death?
«The survey by the Istituto Superiore di Sanità confirms that 9,154 of about 97 thousand guests died between February 1 and May 5. There were 3,772 patients with flu-like or Covid-positive symptoms, therefore with a mortality rate of more than 3% in 4 months. It is not known how much of the remaining deaths may be associated with consequences related to isolation. But some analyzes carried out in recent years can help us, from which it emerges that the increase in mortality associated with these factors is 25-30% ».
Have you found specific errors made in the RSA?
«Often the health departments have remained deaf to this need, continuing to preclude any form of contact, even of an electronic nature. It should also be noted that an indiscriminate policy of limiting entrances, including other external personnel, has had very significant repercussions on the levels of assistance guaranteed and on the quality of life of the guests ».
What is needed now?
«Allowing in-person visits in a controlled manner, establishing and strengthening forms of telepresence. Avoid the lack of protective devices, as well as the availability of the necessary rapid antigen tests ».
What is the most urgent general step?
“I am very worried about the loneliness suffered by our elderly: many are letting themselves die, their health is worsening and tomorrow we will have to deal with many losses not due to Covid. It is urgent to embrace our elders and break their isolation. They have paid for the loneliness that we have all suffered in these months at the price of their lives ”.
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