Elderly stressed about closures

Many older people are being left without essential services because of cost-cutting and the march ofmoderntechnology, which is leading to the closure of morebank branches.

It isnowexpected that most banking transactions can occur via the internet or telephone.

Jan Pentecost, president of the Grey Power Federation, said Grey Power has lobbied relevant agencies since 2016 to ensure, to the best of its ability, that older people are not disadvantaged by bank closures and the transfer of banking business to digital technology because numerous older people do not or cannot use the internet.

“Some live in rural areas with only intermittent or no internet coverage, hearing and sight difficultiesmean telephone discussions with banking staff are challenging, access to banking facilities far removed from theirhomeis difficult becausemanycan no longer drive and all this requires the growing dependence of the elderly to allow others tomanagetheir finances, potentially leading to elder abuse,” she says.

TeAwamutuGrey Power president Hazel Barnes says it is an issue affecting about 65 per cent of the local membership.

“The general feeling is one of anxiety and stress because not only do these folk not have any technology, but they also have great difficulty in retaininghowto work with technology,” says Hazel.

“They also feel discarded and not wanted after a lifetime of giving and work to build NewZealand to thewayit is today.”

Jan says Grey Power is watching the capacity of the banking hub trial with great interest.

“Let’s hope it will alleviate our concerns. After all, older people matter too.”

Photo / Dean Taylor Te Awamutu ASB branch has recently announced it will open three days per week, part of a restructure which will see 23 branch closures and 13 branches (also including Cambridge) reducing hours. BNZ recently announced 28 branch closures (Te Awamutu is not affected).