Stoicism

I am always surprised at how stoic many older people are. And it' s a concern also, because what are they hiding from their loved ones to save us from worry!!! Especially when we don't see them as much as we would like to when we don't live in that ideal world of living around the corner and Sunday roast catch ups. I for one have a sneaky look in my mothers pantry when I go to visit, to make sure she has enough staples and isn't saying she's fine for food and such when she's not. But I also worry about how she is feeling emotionally, now being a widow and is she getting enough socialisation. I do not think the quick drop in services of shopping or cleaning is enough social interaction for any older person - especially when they come from that age of direct contact and talking face to face with people, not over the phone, email or via txt. A lot of older people, like my mother, have taken the Covid issue in their stride, saying they have faced such tough issues before, wars, depressions ,polio. Or are they just being stoic and hiding their true feelings and desires behind being brave and acting resilient!