Older Australians likely to go it alone during lockdown
OLDER people are more isolated than other Australians, with only one in five people aged over 70 in daily contact with family during the pandemic.
This compares to 40 per cent of those under 40 who talk, text, zoom or visit their loved ones every day. An Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) survey of more than 7000 adults taken during May’s lockdown shows those not living with family members struggle the most.
The study found 93 per cent of people kept in touch with family members living outside their households, but just over a third found it more difficult to connect with family during lockdown.
Despite the lack of daily contact, two-thirds of older people saw family once a week for caregiving and one in three wrote letters.
AIFS director Anne Hollonds said six in 10 Australians stayed connected by talking and texting during the pandemic, and a quarter of Australians embraced other unique activities — such as virtually sharing meals, playing games or exercising.
“A lot of older respondents shared that they were struggling with video calls and new online technologies,” Ms Hollonds said.
“Thirty per cent of people over 70 used handwritten letters to stay in touch, and many older Australians still depended on face-to-face visits for contact and support.
“COVID-19 might be changing the way we’re connecting with our loved ones — but it doesn’t mean we have to lose contact entirely.”