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Older people have contributed greatly to their
communities through the COVID-19 pandemic whilst managing
increased loneliness and a range of other challenges. This
is according to today’s Te Hiringa Mahara – the Mental
Health and Wellbeing Commission report The impact of
COVID-19 on the wellbeing of older people in Aotearoa New
Zealand.
“Our report highlights that while older
people tend to experience better wellbeing than other age
groups, the more vulnerable elderly face more negative
impacts of the pandemic than others, with impacts continuing
to affect their wellbeing,” says Dr. Filipo
Katavake-McGrath, Te Hiringa Mahara Director of Wellbeing
System Leadership and Insights. “Anxiety and fear continue
to be a challenge for older people”
Attitudes toward
ageing and older people have changed. While attitudes have
often become more positive, older people were also
positioned in media as vulnerable and less
adaptable.
“Older people have contributed greatly
through the pandemic, often coping, thriving, and supporting
others. Kaumātua worked hard to maintain connections with
their communities and whānau in a variety of different
ways.” “Kaumātua were at the centre of stories of community
and whānau wellbeing during lockdown. While not being able
to participate in tangihanga was a particularly difficult
challenge for Māori kaumātua, they had a key role in
adapting tikanga to offset the impact of
COVID-19.
“The pandemic has taught us lessons for
future crises and supporting wellbeing in general. As a
result, we call for greater recognition of the involvement
of older people in their communities and inclusion of older
people in decision making affecting them.
“It is
important that our understanding of the pandemic, and our
planning for the future recognises that older people have a
variety of different experiences, needs, and
contributions.”
© Scoop Media
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