It's got so bad in Italy, that they are talking about not being able to provide intensive care beds to the over 80s, and having to make hard decisions regarding who will benefit (ie survive) most, from the available medical care. So, basically having to decide, who lives, and who dies.
I think this is what's behind the self-isolation of the elderly population. I hope they are going to do it properly, with care packages set up for shopping, medication, etc, not to mention dealing with the mental health issues that isolation can cause.
I'm sure (most) people mean well, with their offers to help, but I imagine that the over 70s, especially those living alone in the sticks, would prefer to have their welfare properly organised, and not just left to the kindness of neighbours, on an ad-hoc basis, neighbours who may be called away at any time, to deal with family emergencies, leaving the isolated neighbour, high & dry. (Apologies for the very long sentence. And over-use of, 'neighbour'.)
We can only hope that the govt. is already planning something of this ilk.
My mum is 77, and housebound, but if she wasn't, she'd be under orders from me, to stay put! We live in different countries, and I, also, am housebound. She has a regular care package in place, so she does have some help.
There certainly are worrying times ahead.