Older people make a huge contribution to our communities, and ageing is something that should be celebrated. But getting older can be challenging for people physically, mentally and socially. The International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) on 1 October and New Zealand Grandparents Day on 6 October are chances to recognise our senior citizens’ value in society and highlight their unique needs.

In 2022, Auckland joined the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Global Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities, a network of communities worldwide united by the common goal of making their regions great places to grow old.

Auckland Council is committed to improving the wellbeing of older New Zealanders through the Tāmaki Makaurau Tauawhi Kaumātua / Age-friendly Auckland Framework. This framework recognises that Auckland’s ageing population is diverse and that the needs of senior citizens across the region are varied. The Seniors Advisory Panel was created to identify the issues facing the region’s older citizens and provide advice on improving wellbeing.

Auckland Council supports many programmes and activities in Tāmaki Makaurau that are designed with seniors’ needs in mind, including exercise classes and initiatives to help older people navigate technology.

Staying connected

Research conducted by the University of Otago showed that approximately 10 per cent of people over 65 are lonely all or most of the time. The rates of loneliness rise to 50 per cent amongst those over 80, and it’s estimated that a quarter of people who experience loneliness also died prematurely. To combat issues of social isolation, Auckland Libraries offer a range of services to help older people stay connected and included in the community.

“Auckland Libraries offer lots of programmes for seniors because we recognise libraries are often the backbone of our communities,” says Chloe Pope, Programme & Events Manager at Mt Albert Library. “A lot of the patrons of our libraries have been coming here for decades, and that means a lot to staff like me, who enjoy seeing people using our facilities.”

Seniors who want assistance researching a particular subject such as family history can use the Book a Librarian service.

One way in which older people can feel disconnected and isolated is through technology, whether it’s a phone, tablet or computer. The Auckland Libraries team can help seniors struggling with technology to connect to the digital world through various services.

“Libraries have always been places to share knowledge. We have programmes designed to help older people, such as the Digital Drop-in Sessions held at Mt Albert Library and many other libraries,” says Chloe. “Digital literacy is a form of literacy, and we are here to help in the same way we help with reading and writing.”

In the sessions, seniors can pull up a chair to get assistance with their device or software. Librarians can help with a range of activities, including paying bills online, sharing photos with family, using the Auckland Transport app, or using messaging services such as WhatsApp.

Those who want one-on-one assistance with technology or software can reserve help with a librarian using the Book a Librarian service.

The Book a Librarian service also allows seniors and other members of the community to book one-on-one time with a librarian to help with basic computer skills, such as writing in a document using Microsoft Word, doing family history research, and accessing council records.

“Anyone can use the Book a Librarian service, and it’s often good for people who need a little extra time with technology or who are a bit shy about participating in the group for the Digital Drop-in Session,” adds Chloe.

Mind and body

Auckland Council also supports many services to help seniors stay active. To keep mobile and help with heart and lung health, it’s recommended that seniors are active for at least 150 minutes a week spread over five sessions. Several times a week, Mt Albert Library becomes an exercise hub for seniors, and the popular Steady As You Go class run by Age Concern New Zealand is often booked out. The programme, designed by physiotherapists using exercises from the Otago Exercise Programme, offers gentle fitness activities to help keep seniors agile and prevent falls.

“I like the class as the exercises are not too strenuous for us oldies,” says Steady As You Go attendee Caroline. “The improvement in my balance has been very good, and the library is convenient.”

Another class participant, Jee, has a more personal reason for attending the class. “I come because I think of my mum who passed away following multiple falls… She inspired me to go for the class. It’s important for the elderly to motivate them to exercise. It’s good for their wellbeing, especially those who are lonely. The library setting is fun, and I have made friends.”

There are many other exercise classes across Auckland that are especially tailored for older people, such as Seniors Yoga, aqua fitness and Pickleball.

The tai chi class takes place amongst the bookshelves in the children’s area of Mt Albert Library on Mondays.

Diverse older communities

Social isolation is a particular challenge in Auckland for seniors for whom English is their second language. Epsom Chinese Association was launched in 2007 by a group of older Chinese Aucklanders who came together to practice tai chi. Since then, the organisation has grown to more than 300 members and is supported by Albert-Eden Local Board. On Monday mornings, the Mt Albert Library is transformed into a zen tai chi haven, with many older Chinese community members coming together to practice the ancient martial art. Likened to ‘meditation in motion’, tai chi is intended to bring harmony between the body, mind and spirit.

“The movements in tai chi are quite slow, and it’s good for seniors to help them to keep stable,” says Susan Li Kwan, chairperson of the Epsom Chinese Association.

“Tai chi has no age limits. We love coming to the library to share our culture, and we love having other people in the community join us and become our friends. Most of our members are seniors, and some have come to New Zealand to live with their children and look after their grandchildren, but they have a language barrier with other people outside their family. The class is a good way to meet new people and also sometimes practice English too.”

The Epsom Chinese Association offers many activities and classes for older Chinese people, including folk dancing, singing and English lessons. Susan says the association members are also keen to give back to the city they are proud to call home, performing at the Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital and sharing cultural festivities such as the Moon Festival and Chinese New Year. The Epsom Chinese Association and the Chinese Conservation Education Trust recently held a series of sewing repair cafes to help the community mend clothes, and these repair cafes were funded by Albert-Eden Local Board.

“Our sewing volunteers help people repair clothing, and our seniors feel very proud because they can help the community,” says Susan. “The sewing repair cafes can help combat climate change by reducing the waste sent to landfill and we are pleased to make a contribution. Thank you to Albert-Eden Local Board for making this possible.”

Celebrate IDOP

To encourage seniors and other community members to get involved in IDOP, there are a range of activities and events supported by Albert-Eden Local Board, such as art exhibitions, chair yoga, a vintage fair and even a Craft-along Cinema screening of Casablanca. Visit the Albert-Eden IDOP website for more information.