Older people have been forgotten in the Government’s new plan for Living with Covid-19, according to a support organisation for the cohort.
ALONE said it was “disappointed” at the lack of reference to older people in recent Government announcements, regarding its 2021 “Path Ahead” plan.
The organisation said it was concerned about “the physical, mental and social challenges older people will now face as they break their period of social isolation and as their day-to-day lives readjust to a new normal” following a vaccine rollout.
It is now “urgently requesting” that the Government begin to develop a re-emergence programme for older people and for those within socially and medically vulnerable groups.
Seán Moynihan, CEO of ALONE said: “Some older people are among the most vulnerable in our society and it is clear that the pandemic will have detrimental effects on this cohort, as they have had to change the way they live in order to shield themselves from the virus.
“We must continue to protect our ageing population following the sacrifices that they have made in the past year. We now must ask ourselves, how can we best ensure their safety as they re-emerge from the safety of their homes.”
Loss of confidence
ALONE has reported an increase in a “wide range” of mental health impacts among older people, which it said directly result from prolonged periods of social restrictions and isolation.
The organisation said older people have had to largely withdraw from society during the pandemic, with many postponing important medical check-ups and appointments to protect themselves from the virus.
It added that older people had suffered a “huge loss of confidence”.
Volunteers from the group have answered over 42,000 calls since the launch of ALONE's national Covid-19 support line in March.
Staff and volunteers have also made more than 138,589 calls to stay in touch with older people. 70 per cent of the older people who have called the support line are living alone, with almost two thirds of these callers aged 70 and over.
Stakeholder group
ALONE is now calling for the Government to establish a stakeholder group for older adults, to ensure that older and vulnerable people are protected beyond the vaccination process.
The organisation said it hoped to establish clear guidance around long and short-term care and additional supports, in order to help them navigate a post-Covid world.
“While there will be still levels of Covid-19 within the community, we should able to mitigate the risks it will have on vulnerable groups by being prepared, listening to their worries and doubts [and] assessing the actions that need to be taken,” Mr Moynihan said.
If you have concerns about your own wellbeing, or the wellbeing of an older person you know, you can contact ALONE's national support line seven days a week from 8am to 8pm on 0818 222 024. Further information can be found on www.alone.ie.
