Don’t discriminate against older people with extended lockdown - John Welham

WE’RE now about five weeks into the official lockdown, which has seen people of all ages radically changing their lives to protect themselves, others and the NHS.
Entrepreneur Sir James Dyson is 72 - will he have to abide by lockdown protocols that are being applied to the elderly?Entrepreneur Sir James Dyson is 72 - will he have to abide by lockdown protocols that are being applied to the elderly?
Entrepreneur Sir James Dyson is 72 - will he have to abide by lockdown protocols that are being applied to the elderly?

We also know there’s a long way to go. Moreover, the escalating death toll in care homes – exacerbated by a lack of PPE and testing – remains a massive cause for concern.

But, at some point, we’ll reach the moment when the nation can start lifting the economy back off its knees: that means businesses reopening and people returning to work, shop and eat out. It will be a gradual process to prevent more waves of the virus.

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So where do older people fit into this – the group deemed most at risk? According to reports now circulating, over-70s might be subject to a significantly extended lockdown – anything up to 18 months.

The Apprentice's host, Lord Alan Sugar, is 73 - will an extended lockdown apply to entrepreneurs like him?The Apprentice's host, Lord Alan Sugar, is 73 - will an extended lockdown apply to entrepreneurs like him?
The Apprentice's host, Lord Alan Sugar, is 73 - will an extended lockdown apply to entrepreneurs like him?

In The Yorkshire Post last Friday, former Minister Ros Altmann made the important arguments that it would be undemocratic and ageist to base ending the lockdown purely on age.

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Don’t single out elderly like this for mass ‘lockdown’ punishment – Ros Altmann

While older people will obviously be keen to play their part in curbing the worst consequences of the pandemic, it is critical that some other major factors are taking into consideration.

Firstly, millions in their 70s and beyond are central to our institutions – local government, school governance, the voluntary sector – as well as running essential local groups, caring for family and looking after grandchildren so that parents can work.

Are the elderly being discriminated against by the Government and wider society? Photo: AdobeStockAre the elderly being discriminated against by the Government and wider society? Photo: AdobeStock
Are the elderly being discriminated against by the Government and wider society? Photo: AdobeStock
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Suppressing those contributions would have calamitous consequences. And that’s before we get to the ‘Silver Pound’ – older people shopping, using public transport, taking breaks and using leisure facilities. In total, Age UK estimates older people contribute around £60bn a year to the economy through employment, informal caring and volunteering.

Indeed, over a third of a million people aged over 70 are in paid employment; many more run businesses. Let’s not forget that Alan Sugar is 73, James Dyson is 72 and Richard Branson turns 70 in July. Who’s going to tell them they should be in lockdown for the next 18 months? Or the 28 MPs aged over 70?

There’s a worrying and false assumption prevailing that all older people are frail and vulnerable. Like any group outside the social mainstream, older people are routinely stereotyped and the subject of many misconceptions and untruths – most perniciously, that older people are a dead weight in society, taking more than we give.

Promoting the concept of an extended lockdown perpetuates the negative portrayals. I, and my fellow campaigners in the EngAgeNet network, want to change that false and damaging narrative.

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My second key point concerns the long-term effects on the wellbeing of those in an extended lockdown: We already have an epidemic of loneliness impacting negatively upon people’s health and – eventually – the NHS. Denying them the same level of active engagement as younger people once the pillars for safe relaxation are in place runs the risk of significantly increased physical and mental health demands in the future.

How, then, do we think any lockdown should apply to older people? Of course, our first and most important duty is to ensure that we don’t become a burden on the NHS.

We need to get through the current ‘eye of the storm’, ensuring that adequate testing and protective equipment is in place, to allow us to continue contributing to society – the cost of which will be more than covered by the positive impact we make on the economy.

On top of that, those whose health conditions or advanced age means that they really do need an additional level of protection must have full support to weather out the lockdown in their own homes or care settings and still emerge in good physical and mental health at the end – especially those living alone.

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That means supplying digital equipment and technical back-up for some to help keep them connected to the outside world, and ensuring that they are well looked after for food and provisions – which is not happening universally at the moment.

We want to play our part in returning the country to normality – and we refuse to be discriminated against on the basis of age.

More information on: www.engagenet.org.uk

John Welham is Vice Chair of the Yorkshire and Humberside Forum on Ageing.

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

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James Mitchinson