Information for the Elderly

Anyone, especially kaumātua, are more likely to get sick if they also have the following health problems:

• They are over 50 years of age.
• High blood pressure.
• Heart problems.
• Asthma and other breathing problems.
• Cancer.
• Diabetes.

Kaumātua are now advised to stay home.

The great thing about whānau Māori is that we are experts at showing manaaki to our whānau, especially kaumātua.

You should:

1. Look for help from your whānau for shopping, medicine, or anything else you might need from the shops.
2. Go for a walk around your community, but avoid having a korero with anyone at a close distance.
3. Get the mail from your letterbox or even do some gardening.

If you don’t have any whānau who are able to help you, you should contact your marae, hapū or iwi for assistance.

The symptoms of COVID-19 are:

1. A cough.
2. Fever - this is when you get hot.
3. Shortness of breath.

If you have any of these symptoms you should first contact your GP or the Healthline on 0800 358 5453.

Your doctor or the Healthline will carry out an initial over-the-phone check and depending on the result, they’ll tell you what to do next.

Depending on where you live, you could also visit a Community Based Assessment Clinic (CBAC) for an assessment and possible testing.