February 17, 2021
Lockdown jolt confuses kaumatua
A South Auckland Māori Warden says this week's short COVID lockdown had highlighted the need for more support for vulnerable elderly people.
Thomas Henry says many kaumātua are isolated from their whānau in council owned flats.
They struggle to understand shifting alert level rules and COVID related terminology.
"They're confused because they don't know whether or not they can go outside the door. Do they need to wear their mask? These are the questions we have to follow up with them and say 'no matua, it's all right. As long as you stay in your bubble. If you need shopping, we will send the wardens to go down and do the shopping.' Because they don't even know if they are able to go to the shop," he says.
Thomas Henry says he'd like to see more government advice targeting the elderly.
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