Spring is here, bringing with it the sunshine and the warmer days. I take great pleasure in my garden. One of the benefits of working from home is getting to enjoy it, along with the other gardens in my neighbourhood.
I acknowledge that I’m very lucky in lockdown. I have a comfortable, safe home to work from, as well as access to the resources I need, like food and utilities. I may not be as fit as I could be, but I have my health. I live with my family, so I have company – even if my teenager only speaks to me in grunts! And when I feel lonely, I can Zoom with a friend or drag the teenager and the beagle out for a walk.
Others are not so fortunate. The continued lockdowns have made it more difficult to meet with friends and family who don’t live nearby, giving many people a growing sense of isolation and loneliness. Some feel unable to escape an unsafe home, while others struggle with the rapid shift to digital-only information and services. This month we look at the emerging issue of elder abuse during the pandemic.
October is Seniors’ Month. While we can’t celebrate face-to-face, we have a range of online activities for you to join. Keep an eye on what’s happening in your neighbourhood, as many councils are holding smaller COVID-safe events throughout October.
Ron from Older Men: New Ideas (OM:NI) men’s discussion groups Beaconsfield has a few tips on caravanning to get you ready to go when we open up again.
I recently had the privilege of being interviewed by Peter Thomas from GDR95.7 Golden Days Radio, which is staffed by older volunteers for older people. We thought we would return the favour and interview Peter for COTA Connects. Read about Peter’s amazing life and what he’s getting up to in ‘retirement.’
Keep safe everyone, and don’t forget to book in for your COVID vaccine if you haven’t already!