National Seniors Australia seeking volunteers on Gold Coast to help elderly during COVID-19 pandemic

They’re the members of the highest risk generation being left behind but a Gold Coast organisation hasn’t forgotten them. SUBSCRIBE TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP

A volunteer service has been created to help elderly people feeling vulnerable through the coronavirus crisis while caring for grandchildren or supporting a partner.

ANXIOUS WAIT FOR COAST’S ELDERLY

National Seniors Australia asked 1110 senior people their concerns about COVID-19. Many said they were worried about the care they could provide for loved ones.

Alana Laundy, Manager of Childcare and Family Services Gold Coast and Cassie Taylor, Volunteer Family Connect Coordinator. Picture: Jerad Williams

Simple tasks like shopping or seeing grandchildren had become unsafe for the elderly, so the Benevolent Society launched the Volunteer Carer Connect on July 1 to provide support.

Childcare and Family Services Gold Coast manager Alana Laundy said the program used the same structure the society had delivered for other services for a decade.

STATE GOVT TAKES OVER NURSING HOMES AS AGED CARE CRISIS WORSENS

“The volunteers help through virtual means or face-to-face depending on what the clients want,” she said.

Long-time volunteer Gando Kim said he took pride in helping other families.

Alana Laundy, Manager of Childcare and Family Services Gold Coast, Volunteer Gando Kim, and Cassie Taylor, Volunteer Family Connect Coordinator. Picture: Jerad Williams

“I try to communicate with the children and provide a father figure for them,” he said.

“I do things like taking them to extra-curricular activities and doing the grocery shopping.”

Anyone interested in volunteering or needing support can email [e-mail]