The Spiritual Impact of Coronavirus on Older People

Roger Hitchings has spoken a number of times at Myton Church. His last visit was in January when we packed into the Mary Edwards room to hear him address 'Dementia'. In this article (published in the Affinity magazine) he considers the impact of the last eight months on older people.

He writes:

"It would not be an understatement to say that the last eight months have been turbulent and disconcerting for many people in our society. The mental health impacts of lockdown and the on-going restrictions have been well discussed. Older people have experienced extremely demanding circumstances particularly through loneliness and isolation. A number of practical but partial responses have been developed in society which in many cases have reduced the impact, if only to a small degree.

Many churches have sought to respond to the new situation in the best way they can and, alongside using technology to maintain preaching and teaching ministries, imaginative and practical ways of supporting people in their own homes have been developed. However, there is one aspect of the situation that has hardly been discussed, if it has been discussed at all – the damage the restrictions have brought to the spiritual health of those who are older..."  Read more here