A pandemic of loneliness

Inmates at the city’s old age centres have been among the worst-affected victims of COVID-19. Confined to the premises with no visitors in months, the senior residents are giving up on the only strength that keeps them going — the hope to see their loved ones

It’s been over 12 years since Kiran Bhandari, 70, has been living at ‘Gharonda’ old age home. She doesn’t wish to live any more, a feeling that has only become stronger since the COVID-19 outbreak last year. Like Ms. Bhandari, there are 27 other senior citizens living here in this double-storey home with twin sharing rooms and a sprawling garden area located on a narrow street in South Delhi’s Fatehpur Beri. At least 20 others are currently back with their families because of the pandemic. The inmates at the home come with a load of emotional baggage, memories of a life spent with family and fear of being forgotten by all. The pandemic has only made matters worse.