Seniors well supported after quake

Seniors well supported after quake – Age Concern

Age Concern say that, overall, older people are being well supported though the earthquake aftermath.

"As an older Cantabrian, my personal experience of the earthquake is how fortunate we all are," Age Concern New Zealand president Liz Baxendine says.

Mrs Baxendine's house was basically unscathed, so she was able to lend assistance to neighbours.

"Your mouth gets so dry, so it was good I have a gas hob so I was able to boil water and distribute that, and cups of tea," she says.

"I was very impressed with the support I, and other older or disabled Canterbury people, got from the Ministry of Social Development," Mrs Baxendine says.

"A lot of older people who live alone have been really thrilled to receive these personal phone calls.

"The concern for older people has been welcome. It will be a tough time for many; even those who haven't been personally uprooted will be saddened by the loss of so many well-loved landmarks. But the older people I've talked with have been incredibly resilient. After a lifetime of wars, the Depression and change, they have the coping skills and self-reliance to get though a crisis and even to help others."

"Older people show wonderful strength and resilience," agrees Age Concern Canterbury chief executive Stephen Phillips. "But that will wear down."

"We're working with two main categories of older people," Stephen Phillips says. "There are those with good support networks of family, friends and neighbours: our message to them is to keep that support up.

"There are also older people on their own; some are quite isolated. We've increased our home services, such as handyman and support for people getting discharged from hospital, so our message them is to get in touch with Age Concern."

Age Concern Canterbury's modern headquarters came through the quake well, so by Sunday afternoon the service organisation for older people was able to start putting its Major Incident Emergency Plan into effect.

"Civil Defence have done a marvellous job," Stephen Phillips says.

"We have been really heartened by the flood of offers of support. "Everything from people offering to pick up bricks, help with cooking and cleaning for older people, through to those able to do claims paperwork."

Mrs Baxendine agrees, "The community spirit has been wonderful. It's been heartening the way people support their neighbours. Older people have been the beneficiaries of that neighbourly support, and are also able to contribute to it.

"Age Concern Canterbury, and Christchurch's older people are very grateful for all the support there's been in the week since the earthquake." Mrs Baxendine says.

ENDS

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