We’ve shared an experience - something mutual to connect about and that’s important but in order to connect you have to first feel safe.

This last few months has led us to reflect on what’s important - people, our health. Also to question what’s not important - consumerism and buying things that we’ve been living without.

Ramesh

Illustration by Carol Green

COVID has shown us how weak humans are. We need to take better care of ourselves, each other, the environment. We’re all connected - animals, nature and the human race and we all need to contribute.

Helping older people is ingrained in our culture, but there are a lot of older people here who don’t have their family around to support them. Some are being exploited by their children or the people they are living with and don’t know where to get help.

Some really struggled with the basics of life - they couldn’t access their money as they didn’t have online banking. It was very difficult - they had the money but they couldn’t pay for anything. It’s not just about knowing how to use technology, there’s a cost to digital connection and not everyone has that.

It’s been very important that we check in on people and make sure they’re ok.

For myself, because I know what knowledge is available and how to access it, I’ve used this time and learned a lot.

Older people have time and wisdom and we want to share our skills. We’re always thinking ‘where can we contribute.’

Reflections:

- Reliable information relating to COVID19, restrictions and available support didn’t reach everyone. In particular people without internet access, with English as an additional language or other accessibility needs missed out.

- For older people who are in an unsafe living situation or being in some way exploited, lockdown was extremely difficult and exacerbated by this lack of information

- Practical considerations such as how to access money without internet banking can be a real issue and significantly affect people’s ability to function through lockdown periods.

What questions does this raise for our approach to pandemics?

- How might we ensure that information, services and support are reaching people who do not have access to digital channels, speak languages other than English or have other accessibility needs?

- What culturally appropriate, safe and accessible support is in place for those experiencing elder abuse or other urgent issues?

- What provision is there for offline essential services, and what support is in place to enable people to navigate it?

What questions does this raise for a more connected future?

- What opportunities exist to create and amplify connections around issues of common concern e.g. the environment, sustainable growth etc.

- How might we amplify and support community-led initiatives which play a vital role in keeping older people connected?

- How might we share and spread the value of spirituality to build both connection across the generations, and mental resilience.