Extra help offered to elderly as level 4 restrictions extended
"For the elderly like myself, it can also trigger extreme loneliness."
Eleanor Ashcroft, 80
With the alert level 4 lockdown now extended, the Rotorua community is being encouraged to stay connected with its elderly residents where possible.
Age Concern Rotorua manager Rory O’rourke said all their members were made aware they were closed and they could call the staff if they wanted to get in touch urgently.
“We’ve also identified some people we think may require some extra support and we have their phone numbers to give them a call over the lockdown days.
O’rourke said he thought most people would be able to manage over the short lockdown period, but since it had been extended they would be meeting as a team and deciding where to go from here.
He said in the last level 4 lockdown there were lots of people they would call and make sure everyone was okay every day.
Rotorua’s Eleanor Ashcroft, 80, said she lived at home alone and felt emotional when a neighbour went out of their way to offer assistance during the lockdown if needed.
Ashcroft said the neighbour had also offered to help with things like groceries in the last lockdown.
Over the past couple of days, Ashcroft said she had been making progress with some photography projects she was assembling and getting out the baking tools.
She said with lockdown being extended there were difficulties elderly could face, such as trouble getting groceries and having to wear masks with health conditions that affected breathing.
“For the elderly like myself, it can also trigger extreme loneliness. A lot of people need to socialise.
“It’s also so hard on businesses and I feel so sad for them.”
Grey Power Rotorua coorganiser Wieland Hartwig said it was always good to keep in touch with your neighbours even if it was just a “hello” over the fence.
Hartwig said some older residents might cope okay with the lockdown as they had more life experience and patience than younger people.
He had two elderly neighbours who live on their own and said they were coping quite well so far and went for walks during the day.