It was deja vu as Dunedin, along with the rest of the country, once again got to grips with the challenges of a Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown. Dunedin’s social sector organisations have swung into action quickly to ensure the city’s vulnerable citizens receive the support they need. The Star reporters Brenda Harwood, Simon Henderson and Jessica Wilson contacted social agencies to find out more.
Older people are proving their resilience once again, as the country hunkers down at home to wait for the Covid-19 Delta variant storm to pass.
Age Concern Otago executive officer Debbie George said the messaging from the Government in relation to older people was different this time compared to last year — when the over-70s were told to stay at home.
In addition, the vast majority of older people were now fully vaccinated.
‘‘This time, older people are able to go to the supermarket, and take care of the essentials themselves, rather than having to rely on help,’’ Ms George said.
Of major importance to Age Concern was to continue the smooth delivery of meals on wheels for the Southern DHB, and this was continuing ‘‘seamlessly’’ so far, she said.
‘‘I want to give a big shout-out to our wonderful volunteers, who are ensuring this vital service continues.’’
Age Concern has put its Steady As You Go strength and balance courses online, so that people can keep up with their exercises at home.
The organisation’s recent push to help older people become more comfortable with using technology, through courses such as its SilverTech Smart Phone Course, was paying dividends.
‘‘After last year’s lockdown many older people expressed the wish to become more familiar with technology, and those courses have been hugely popular.
‘‘Hopefully, this means that more older people are able to catch up with friends and family virtually during this lockdown.’’
Older people were resilient and were responding to the situation very well.
‘‘They are just getting on with it, and enjoying a few freedoms that they didn’t have last time.’’
The demand for Presbyterian Support Otago’s foodbank has increased during Alert Level 4.
PSO chief executive officer Jo Rowe said in the first three days of lockdown it provided the level of food support it would normally do in one week.
‘‘We have continued this week to receive a steady flow of request for support,’’ she said.
The foodbank service could be utilised either through self-referral or through referrals from other agencies.
It was just one of the ways PSO was able to support people during lockdown.
Via the phone, Family Works staff could complete Dunedin City Council Consumers Electricity Fund applications for eligible people and provide parents with tips, ideas and behavioural management strategies.
‘‘We know it isn’t easy trying to deal with daily life and provide stimulation and education to children in the home.’’
PSO was also providing practical support, such as clothing and bedding, to those with limited resources.
While people seemed to be coping during the lockdown, the speed with which it was enforced caused some challenges.
Some families had extra people in their household bubbles; many people struggled as their usual support service closed; and isolation affected people’s mental wellbeing.
While the restrictions kept PSO’s home-care residents safe, it was hard for them to be separated from their loved ones, Ms Rowe said.
‘‘Video and phone visits are very welcome and staff are happy to arrange these.’’
Methodist Mission southern director Laura Black says the latest Covid-19 Level 4 lockdown has been a mix of the familiar ‘‘we’ve done this before, we can do it again’’, and the new ‘‘we’re doing this again!’’
There was strong support for the Government moving to Level 4 lockdown as fast as it did,
‘‘but a lot of folks’ mental health and family finances haven’t fully recovered from the last time,’’ she said.
‘‘As soon as they are able, it would be great to have some certainty from Government about how long this is likely to go for — it will be easier for families to pace themselves when they know that, and easier for support services to engage.’’
In terms of services, the mission did not operate many front-line operations such as foodbanks, but it was noticing from its Little Citizens Early Learning Centre a strong interest from family (whanau) in having contact with the kaiako (teachers) and activities to do at home, which the mission was working on.
‘‘Like a lot of services, we are hearing about a sharp increase in domestic violence.
‘‘As with last time, we are encouraging anyone who is having difficulties to reach out early to support services,’’ she said.
The Salvation Army is operating a no-contact food bank, as demand for food parcels jumps sharply under Level 4 lockdown.
Salvation Army Dunedin community ministries manager David McKenzie said there had been a 30% to 40% increase in requests for food parcels in the city over the past week.
‘‘Families are struggling to deal with the sudden lockdown, and may not have reserves to cope,’’ he said.
‘‘When you are living day-to-day on a low income, you can easily get caught out by this kind of situation.’’
Salvation Army staff were making up food parcels, which could be picked up from the Princes St headquarters car park.
In general, people who were being supported by the Salvation Army had a good attitude to lockdown, and felt part of the team of five million, Mr McKenzie said.
‘‘People are doing their best to comply with lockdown rules, even though it can be very difficult to keep in a bubble in some accommodation.’’
It was also challenging for families living in cramped conditions who had children at home, he said.
As the Covid-19 regional response, led by Civil Defence, had not yet kicked in, there were some issues with the supply chain for the foodbanks.
People who would like to support the foodbank were asked to give funds at this stage, rather than food, and could do so through the Countdown Foodbank Project, Mr McKenzie said.
Anyone who needs urgent support can phone the Salvation Army on (03)477-9852.
