Central Otago’s older population are doing it tough, stuck at home and lacking confidence after years of social distancing, according to Age Concern Central Otago. 

Age Concern Central Otago coordinator Marie Roxburgh said for the older generation, loneliness was worse than smoking or drinking. 

The service currently supports about 40 people and around 400 annually.

Ministry of Health statistics show the elderly population are dying at disproportionate rates once they get Covid-19.

Marie said cases are much more complex now than in the pre-pandemic world because real connections are harder to come by for elderly people, and their confidence has been knocked.  

Age Concern’s clientele are not going out and about due to increased anxiety about Covid-19.

“It’s a frightening time for old people.

"Older people aren’t trusting; they’re not going out,” Marie said.

“Getting old is no picnic and there are new challenges all the time.

“All of sudden they have to make really big decisions for each other, like whether to put their partner in care."

Marie said while elderly people have lived through plenty of hard times before what is different now is the extreme technology that is ever changing.

She said she wants to emulate the strengthening family services model for aged care – where everyone who can be involved, should be involved and where services all work together.

“There is a light at the end of the tunnel with these recent changes [no more scanning in, no more vaccine passports, 200-person limit for gatherings], and confidence needs to be rebuilt.”

The face to face visiting service run by Age Concern has about 70-80 people all in Central Otago who get the same visitor every week. 

Marie said a lot of her clients were terrified they’ll die at home, alone and they won’t be found.  

“Older peoples’ concern of dying is something very real.”

This service is a lifeline for many people who may live rurally, or away from family or who don’t get visitors. 

She said that people like Cameron Nicolson and his wife Amy in the Ida Valley are critical to keeping elderly people in the loop and provide a friendly chat for lonely residents.

The couple frequently check in on older adults in the Ida Valley, a small close community where people still know their neighbours and remain more closely connected than elsewhere.

Cameron said Ida Valley was a special place as the community always rallies around, and everyone keeps an eye on each other.

“I’ve always had that grounding of looking after one another. 

“It goes back to my parents installing it in me, and my grandparents installing it in them.

“The Ida Valley is quite generational . . . it’s a tight community,” Cameron said. 

Cameron who runs a sheep, beef and deer farm said there were some important local information sources for residents including the school newsletter and a local messenger news group for about 130 residents.    

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a death, birth or an injury, or whatever it is, people come and help, and word gets out. People will turn up with food on your doorstep."

Marie said to improve things for the older generation, people should make themselves known to their neighbours.

“They are lonely and on their own . . . so just call around and see how [they’re] doing.”

Age Concern has resumed its health promotion activities again, which Marie is really pleased about.

There is a driving course on April 20 along with other activities planned to support independent living and foster connections. 

Anyone interested can contact Age Concern Central Otago for more information.