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'Things are never gonna be the same': Four years since COVID, many seniors are still struggling

Mental health issues continue to plague our older population. A Snohomish County service organization is providing life-saving help.

EVERETT, Wash. — As the coronavirus pandemic forced Jackie McCoy to isolate for two full years, she ruminated on one solitary thought.

"Things are never gonna be the same."

For McCoy, they're not. She is predisposed to contracting sickle cell anemia.

Exposure to any COVID variant could kill her. She slipped into a worrisome depression.

"It's been horrible," she said. "Absolutely horrible."

More than four years since America's first COVID-19 case was documented in Snohomish County, McCoy, 62, is still suffering.

She has anxiety about contracting the virus and trauma from all that time spent in lockdown.

"You're always in the back of your mind thinking, is it gonna happen again?" she frets.

The National Coalition on Aging reports that 30% of American adults are still experiencing mental health struggles from the pandemic. May of them are seniors. The good news is that 71% are willing to seek help.

"When people get depressed, they just tend to give up," says mental health counselor Nancy Brosemer.

She works with Homage Senior Services.

Homage is the only organization in Snohomish County offering free mental health counseling to anyone 60 and over, regardless of income. 

Last year alone, Homage counselors helped 752 seniors.

Brosemer explains unaddressed trauma -- like isolation and losing loved ones -- can have lasting effects, even premature death.

"I want there to be more communication," she says. "Pay attention to what's going on. If your loved one stops socializing and withdraws, that can be a sign of depression. We need to pay attention to that."

Thursday, Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers announced the county is investing $1.4 million of its federal American Rescue Plan Act funding into programs that address equity, isolation, and food access among older adults. 

A recent Snohomish County survey found older adults in the county have been disproportionately affected by pandemic impacts, particularly regarding financial stability, access to care and food security. 

According to the survey, 12% are struggling with housing payments, 23% rely on a caregiver and 25% use food assistance during the pandemic.

Homage offers five free mental health counseling sessions and works to connect seniors with longer-term care.

McCoy and Brosemer meet once per month. For her, it has been a godsend.

"I can tell her things I can't tell my family," she chuckles.

Things may never be the same in a post-COVID world for McCoy, but now she knows she's not alone.

"If you don't get help, you'll be stuck, and you'll just feel sorry for yourself," she says.

Homage runs a senior access line staffed by counselors at 425-290-1260. A confidential depression screening is available on their website. You can also contact counselors through mentalhealth@homage.org.

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