Online proof risks leaving elderly out

As a member of the Quirindi Country Women's Association (CWA) in northern NSW, Collen Wills spends her time putting smiles on the faces of residents in local care homes, with luncheons and day trips.

But she's worried those smiles might start to fade with the elderly stressed and frustrated by the need for online vaccination proof.

"They don't have smartphones and they don't have computers," she said.

"It needs to be simplified for the elderly."

READ MORE:

While hard copy certificates of proof of vaccination are accepted, Ms Wills said this was still only an option for those with family that could help them.

"The issue is for people who don't have family nearby," she said.

With lockdowns hitting those in care homes particularly hard, Ms Wills was concerned if things weren't made more user friendly the region's older population would miss out on more valuable time and experiences.

"When you're at the end of life, time everyday is very valuable," she said.

"A lot of them have been locked away for ages.

"They just love to go down the town and see people they know."

Although the CWA had organised pamper packs and treats for residents during lockdown Ms Wills said nothing compared to face-to-face interaction.

"You can't put a value on that."

Sharing Ms Wills' concerns, Trish Balcombe from the northern NSW Tamworth and District Seniors Computer Club said technological support was there for those who needed it.

"They're making everything online now, which is fine for the younger ones, but what about these older people," Ms Balcombe said.

Hoping to help, the club offers one-on-one classes to assist seniors with navigating the online world, especially with COVID-related needs.

"We can definitely help people with that," she said.

"[The classes] are a bit social as well, we try and make it friendly so it's not too overwhelming."