Reflections of 2021 and Hopes for 2022

In December 2021 and January 2022 we asked:

“As 2021 draws to a close, what are your reflections on 2021 and what are your hopes for the New Year?”

Around 70 older from mid-50s to mid-90’s gave us their responses this month.  Most were dominated by the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic on individuals, although it should be noted that the question coincided with the new wave of infections caused by the Omicron variant.  Almost everyone felt 2021 had been a difficult year and they were glad to put it behind them.  There appears to be broadly two types of response to the hopes for 2022 – those who are looking forward positively to a better year and those who continue to be extremely concerned about COVID and the negative impact on their lives.

Reflections on 2021:

Many commented it had been the worst year of their lives and serious illness and loss of friends and relatives impacted on their current frame of mind; the general feeling of being glad to put the year behind them is evident.  More concerning however is that many feel they have nothing to look forward to and the general feeling of weariness.

We were able to link several responders to further support through our Help Team or social services.

Hopes for 2022:

Those who were feeling more positive for a better 2022 were generally looking forward to life after COVID lockdowns and many commented that they were not as concerned for themselves but for others, especially younger family members.  The older people we spoke to often mentioned getting back to face-to-face activities. Several were hoping for improvements in their overall health.

See our Guide to Getting Back Out There Safely

“The last year has been really sad; no one was really able to make any plans. Hope things will get better in 2022 and my health will also improve.”

“Well you just have to get on and do what you can - who knows what the new year will bring but I am hoping more people will feel confident and get out again and we can get back to normal.  I hope to get my cataracts sorted out too”

“I hope my grandchildren will continue to be happy and healthy - for myself I am thankful to be well and value my friends”

Some were clearly philosophical in their views about the future and some indicated they were appreciative of the help and support they have received:

“Things passed by really quickly and we were struggling, but Age UK Gloucestershire was a great help. I hope that COVID goes away & things will be different & we can all meet up again - in particular hope this for younger people”.

“In 2021 survival was the most important thing, to just get through the year. And for the next year my hope is to continue to survive. I have no high expectations and am content with very little, have stopped making big plans, like for example a holiday”

Overall, it is clear that COVID is still at the forefront of people’s minds.  Although many of the older people we spoke to were trying to be positive about what 2022 may bring, there are likely to be many more older and vulnerable people in our communities who feel isolated and frightened at the start of 2022.

“The last year was frightening, and a lot of things get more difficult as you get older. On the television a lot of people would say that the world is overpopulated because of the older people and that they cause a lot of problems for example for the health system. I hope the New Year will see the virus blow itself out and I wish for health and safety for all”.