Sommerset by the Lake residents enjoy sunshine and exercise during Covid-19 alert level three lockdown.
Known for being stoic and resilient, the elderly are willing to play their part in the Covid-19 lockdown.
Age Concern Taupō team leader Nikki Halford said they have 400 people on their books and have been in contact with all of them during the Covid-19 lockdown. She said generally the elderly people they have been in touch with are feeling really well supported, including those living in Taupō District Council pensioner flats who have rallied to support each other.
"Neighbours are stepping up and introducing themselves to elderly people in their street. The elderly know it's for a short time and so they are buckling down and getting on with it," says Nikki.
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Those over 70 are aware they are susceptible to Covid-19, and Nikki says generally the elderly are happy to play their part and maintain self isolation, doing activities like spring cleaning and doing their gardens to keep busy, and looking forward to a time when they can socialise again. She says grocery shopping poses a big challenge for the elderly, as they are reluctant to risk going to the supermarket.
"Paetiki Super Value has been absolutely wonderful providing an in-store shopping and delivery service for the elderly. People can ring up and place their order."
Loneliness is an ongoing issue for the elderly, and Nikki says Age Concern's accredited visiting service is only by telephone at the moment. She says this is okay where there is an established relationship, but can be a bit artificial for a new request.
"There are cases where children elected to move in with an elderly parent living by themselves in the two days before lockdown was announced. It's just for a short time, and they have the ability to work from their parent's house and know they won't be lonely."
Where children live miles away from their parents, Nikki said it can be hard to not worry about how they are really getting on.
"You know them best. Where you can't eyeball Mum or Dad and you sense something in their tone of voice or something seems off, then they need to be checked on. It's very hard when you can't offer physical support." says Nikki.
In the first few weeks of lockdown, Bupa Liston Heights Retirement Village manager Claire Jordan said she received many phone calls from the residents' adult children to check their family member was okay.
"To suddenly not be able to see Mum or Dad, or Aunty or Uncle. Families were wanting reassurance, talking on the phone is just not the same," said Claire.
She explains the way the care home and dementia community have chosen to operate is to designate both areas together as one bubble during Covid-19 alert levels three and four. Therefore external people (like friends and family) have not been able to visit as that would be breaking that large but exclusive and isolated bubble of residents.
Claire manages the independent living apartments and villas, and says the residents were under the same conditions as the rest of New Zealand. Each household is considered to be a bubble within the village, with Claire checking on each resident every day. She said the majority were coping well, with some anxiety about what's going on from residents with an impairment.
"We have to explain what is going on [related to Covid-19]. Some of the residents can't listen to the radio as they are a bit deaf, reading the newspaper is difficult for those with impaired vision, or they may have short-term memory loss so they may forget some of the protocols," said Claire.
Thanks to the good weather, Claire said the independent living residents have been doing 'masses' of walking, including those who require walking frames to help them manage,
"The nice weather encourages more exercise, as those using frames can sit down on their frame for a rest, enabling them to spend time outside enjoying the sun."
As a team, the biggest thing they have struggled with is maintaining social distancing, not being able to give a resident a birthday hug or a consoling pat on the shoulder.
"We started giving the residents a virtual hug. Instead of hugging the resident, we hug ourselves and then the resident hugs themselves. It's a Liston Heights invention, to make up for that lack of social contact, we are all missing that sense of touch," said Claire.
Her advice for children missing their parent is to make use of the post to send their loved one a letter, a puzzle, a poem or a little challenge.
"Older people are finding they have a large amount of time. Getting mail is always a highlight. Send them something to do!"
Loving the lockdown is Summerset by the Lake resident John Calder. Living in a villa with his wife Chris, John says the pair have a daily routine.
"We do five laps around the village circuit each day and that's two kilometres. We watch TV, Chris likes jigsaw puzzles and I have caught up with a few jobs," said John.
Volunteering at the Taupō Community Men's Shed is the thing he misses the most, and he says Chris misses seeing her grandchildren and great-grand children who live locally.
"I think it might be a bit harder for elderly people living on their own. Particularly if they can't get out and about," said John.
Sommerset resident Molly Green says the lockdown hasn't worried her as she is content with herself. Soon to move into the Care Unit, Molly says she feels very well cared for.
"I speak to others in the village each day, and I speak on the telephone to people outside the village two or three times a day," says Molly.
During lockdown Molly has been riding round the village on her scooter, going for short walks, watching tv, reading books and doing puzzles.
"Every morning I do a puzzle page from the NZ Herald. I also teach others how to do Sudoku."
Lacking in digital ability, the elderly are particularly vulnerable to accessing information, paying their bills or purchasing things during lockdown.
The Lines Company (TLC) has seen increased call volumes from older people worried about paying their bills during the lockdown .
TLC chief executive Sean Horgan has acknowledged that some customers, particularly older customers, still prefer to pay their bills in person or via their bank.
"But neither option is now available for many and some people are worried."
Mr Horgan has asked that people don't send cash in the mail, and urges those worried about paying their bills to get in touch.
"People won't be penalised for not being able to pay their bill in person during the lockdown. We really don't want people worrying about this at the moment."
* If you would like to access Age Concern Taupō services they can be contacted by telephone 07 378 9712 or email admin@ageconcerntaupo.org.nz
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