Older people ‘may have self-isolated unnecessarily’

THOUSANDS OF older people may have unnecessarily totally isolated themselves and not left the house during lockdown, a charity fears.

Deborah Alsina, chief executive of Independent Age elderly care charity, said she had “very real concerns” after a poll showed that 43 per cent of over 65-year-olds wrongly believed the

Government’s rules tell over-70s without any underlying health conditions to shield themselves by not leaving the house.

The guidance for this group, who are classed as clinically vulnerable, is to stay at home as much as possible and “take particular care” in social distancing.

Only those with certain conditions, classed as extremely clinically vulnerable, such as those with specific cancers, have been advised to stay at home at times.

Just 30 per cent of elderly people were able to identify the correct guidance for over-70s without underlying health conditions, according to the Independent Age poll which questioned 483 over 65-year-olds.

It also showed that 28 per cent of those questioned said they found the guidance for over-70s unclear or very unclear. all

The charity would like to see messages and broadcast adverts which are specifically aimed at clinically vulnerable groups, including healthy over-70s, when there is any easing of the lockdown measures.

Real-life examples of the impact of the changes would be helpful, and the charity hopes the Government will clarify that not everyone aged over 70 is classed as extremely clinically vulnerable and needs to shield themselves. Ms Alsina said many pensioners are not regular internet users and current safety broadcast adverts are aimed at the general public.

She added: “Given the results of this polling, we have very real concerns that many people aged over 70 have self-isolated unnecessarily during the lockdown, instead of being able to, with caution, leave the house for essentials and exercise.”

PICTURES: PA WIRE HELPING HANDS: Rehabilitation Support workers talk to patients at the NHS Seacole Centre at Headley Court, Surrey, a disused military hospital, which has been specially converted during the coronavirus pandemic. Named in honour of Jamaican-born nurse, Mary Seacole, the facility will help to care for and support patients recovering from Covid-19 and who no longer need care in an acute hospital or those who have Covid-19 and are longer able to cope with their symptoms while they are at home.