Tauranga is being encouraged to stay connected with its elderly residents where possible. Photo / Getty
Tauranga is being encouraged to stay connected with its elderly residents where possible. Photo / Getty
With the alert level 4 lockdown now extended, the Tauranga community is being encouraged to stay connected with its elderly residents where possible.
Age Concern Tauranga general manager Tanya Smith said volunteers were unable to visit their buddies' homes but they could continue to stay connected through phone calls.
Smithhoped families and friends of elderly residents were staying in touch and encouraged those to phone their elderly neighbours to check in on them.
People living on their own or anyone with concerns about members of their older community could reach out to Age Concern, she said.
With the lockdown now extended until next week, Smith said any vulnerable elderly in need would be put in touch with essential services such as Foodbank and Good Neighbour.
Tanya Smith, Age Concern Tauranga general manager. Photo / Supplied
Some may have concerns about medication prescriptions needing to be renewed and picked up, she said.
"We can guide them with this and help them along that journey, and don't hesitate to contact your GP, Healthline, and pharmacist with medical concerns.
"Also, if you're receiving personal care through home help and they haven't arrived, contact the provider."
Tauranga and Western Bay of Plenty Grey Power president Jennifer Custins said she was worried about older residents who didn't have internet and were hard to reach.
Custins said it was distressing for those without internet and mobile phones who relied on someone to contact them about changes to things like medical appointments.
Because the level 4 lockdown had been so sudden, Custins worried some elderly hadn't been able to get enough things such as goods and services sorted to last through until next week.
"We're aware there are people in the community who were caught by surprise a bit with this. I've already done some internet grocery shopping for myself and an elderly couple."
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 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 in the community could face, such as trouble getting groceries and having to wear masks with health conditions that affected breathing.
