Not just D/Deaf older people, some people have other disabilities and health issues out there!
Don’t take for granted to ignore these kinds of older people during the lockdown. They need our help where they have no one there for their needs or requests on groceries, medicines, and paying the bills. Many older adults do not have any technology such as Ipad, mobile, faxes, or a computer in their home. Because they do not have a lot of financing for their needs around the house and their health, such as diabetes, deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind Guides even Hearing Dogs.
A small number of elderly people may be lucky to have a daughter or son to check on them if they are living in the same city or town. Perhaps elderly people have support workers such as a personal carer, home help worker even nurses to check on them and their health.
But what about the Deaf elderly people in their own Deaf community?
Do they understand what happened? Do they know how to prepare or where to find help out there?
Currently, I am involved with a small number of older Deaf people who do not have any helps such as getting the groceries, paying the bills, checking on them if they are okay or not in Waikato. Only three Deaf older people over 70 years old do not have the technology available in their home except one 68 years old chap have got a fax machine.
Communication is a challenging role for them because Elderly Deaf people do not understand what the interpreter signing on the television. Many elderly Deaf people used not to use NZSL in the old days, but they were using their own early signs and gestures. I can sign in their own sign language for I can understand what they are trying to tell me when I visit.
A Deaf couple between 70 -76 years olds, the husband grumbled for he has diabetes along with his health issues, can not drive alone to the supermarket and stand in the queue for an extended period of times before entering the building. I told him that he has to face it and to accept that they got to get someone to do the grocery for them.
A deaf with CP and Speech impaired man is living with his lady boarder, and she prepares evening meals for him and to keep an eye on him. This chap prefers me because of the trust, the understanding of communication and friendship. His brother lives outside the city of Hamilton so far away, and we keep in touch with mobile and email.
Please do think about these kinds of older people when there is a crisis now and in the future. How can we help them? What is the best way to get hold of them through communication? Is there any visual technology such as Skype, so they can see us and chat with us?
Life in Eureka 