Loneliness ‘growing problem’ for seniors, says AgeConnect
Loneliness is a growing problem globally for older people, says AgeConnect co-ordinator Breffni O’Rourke.
‘‘Older people have it just that much harder when it comes to staying connected,’’ O’Rourke told a crowd of more than 90 people on Thursday at the inaugural AgeConnect champion awards ceremony in Nelson.
‘‘Sometimes, it’s just through the fact that their choices are removed through [poor] health or other things.’’
The long-term effects of loneliness were huge and well documented, she said.
‘‘Increased chance of heart disease, increased chance of dementia, and don’t even start me on the suicide rates of seniors.’’
O’Rourke recounted the story of a woman in the Nelson-Tasman region who sat alone in her home for three weeks at a time before she talked to anyone.
That account ‘‘rightfully makes all of us feel really uncomfortable, but it is happening, and we want to do something about it’’, she said.
‘‘I’d like to think that we as a community will look after our elders.’’
Led by Age Concern Nelson Tasman, AgeConnect was established over the past year with the aim of improving community connections, building friendships and creating opportunities for older people to socialise.
Individuals, businesses and organisations had been nominated as AgeConnect champions for pro- moting positive ageing and encour- aging community connections.
The awards ceremony recognised finalists and winners in eight categories, including a supreme champion, which was won by Stoke Seniors.
A busy organisation, Stoke Seniors offers fun, food and fellowship for older people from Nelson, Stoke and Richmond.
Stoke Seniors assistant coordinator Melodie Prescott said it was an honour to receive the
‘‘Rather than fearing this grey tsunami we’re all hearing about . . . embrace it, prepare for it, support it and make the most of it here.’’
Breffni O’Rourke, AgeConnect co-ordinator
supreme award.
She acknowledged the work of the volunteers, board members and staff at the Nelson organisation, adding that club members appreciated the services it offered.
‘‘We have lots of our members coming in and saying if it wasn’t for us, they would be dead,’’ Prescott said.
Nelson City councillor Matt Lawrey, who introduced the award winners, said Stoke Seniors provided consistent support and a positive influence on the lives of older people with meals, transport, exercise programmes and ‘‘countless social connections’’.
Stoke Seniors volunteer Bronwyn Taylor, 23, joined Prescott to accept the supreme award. After the ceremony, Taylor said she had been a volunteer at the organisation for about a year. It gave her a purpose ‘‘knowing that you’re helping’’.
O’Rourke said that ‘‘rather than fearing this grey tsunami we’re all hearing about, the AgeConnect philosophy is to embrace it, prepare for it, support it and make the most of it here in the [region]’’.
‘‘The need is enormous, and the response to what we’ve done so far overwhelmingly positive.’’
Some of that work so far included transport trials to see if it was sustainable to use community vans and volunteers for outings; an expansion of Age Concern’s tea and talk sessions; volunteers taking older people shopping; and tea and tech sessions that linked young people with older people who wanted help with their smartphones and laptops.
The awards are a way to acknowledge individuals, businesses and organisations doing something positive to make the the region a better place for older people. They drew hundreds of nominations.
Other award category winners: Hurst & Taylor Unichem Pharmacy won the AgeConnect friendly environment category. Lawrey said the Hurst & Taylor team took many measures to ensure that the access to and environment of the pharmacy were friendly for older people, including a decent space between the shelving displays, an area to park mobility scooters, seating, and a lift – ‘‘and we all know those aren’t cheap’’.
Wakefield Four Square won the outstanding elder-friendly customer service category for attributes such as a genuine interest in the customers and their lives, smiles, conversations, remembering customers’ preferences, ‘‘discretion at times’’, and carrying groceries to the car.
Neighbourhood Support Nelson and Neighbourhood Support Waimea were joint winners in the creating connections category.
Russell Moore, of Nelson City Taxis, won the above and beyond champion title. ‘‘This champion’s name is mentioned a lot in our region for all the right reasons,’’ Lawrey said.
Moore was gentle and kind in providing transport for older people, Lawrey said. He went ‘‘out of his way’’ to make sure his passengers did not carry heavy items. He also ensured that essentials such as milk, bread and medication were picked up for people when they came out of hospital.
‘‘We think he’s a real gentleman, and we have great feedback on him all the time.’’
Annetta Hodges won the ‘‘one person makes a difference’’ category. She is active in many organisations, including Arthritis NZ. Aged almost 80, Hodges uses her skills as a former registered nurse to help cut the nails of people with arthritis.
‘‘We believe that she deserves recognition for her dedication to the comfort and dignity of older people in our region,’’ Lawrey said.
The intergenerational champion winner was Age to Age, a programme founded by Vicky Jackson that brings together school pupils and older people.
Mitre 10 Mega Nelson took away the people’s choice award as well as the gong for the 60-plus employer of the year. Lawrey said almost 30 staff at the store were aged over 60.
Mitre 10 Mega Nelson was also a finalist in the supreme category.