105 year-old aged care resident asks for calm

At 105 years of age, South Australian Jean Linehan has experienced a lot, and says she knows all about resilience during times of crisis.

The Resthaven Bellevue Heights resident was born during the First World War in February 1915 and has lived through other global crises, including the Spanish flu pandemic of 1918, the Great Depression and several wars.

In regards to the current coronavirus pandemic, Mrs Linehan’s first piece of advice is to avoid panic.

“It’s worse for everybody if people panic.

“Just go along smoothly and wait for what each day brings.

“I know the people in charge know what they’re doing, I suppose they know the best.

“But look, everyone needs to just calm down,” Ms Linehan said.

“I have lived through different flu epidemics, and the Depression, where we couldn’t afford to buy food.

“I remember mother buying six pennyworth of meat pieces; she’d make a pie with it to make it go further.

“I remember working in a big car factory, and of course people stopped buying cars so the whole factory closed down.”

Mrs Linehan was out of work for six months and said she would have been glad to do anything to earn an income.

“But even then, we didn’t panic.

“It’s all getting beyond comprehension. I mean, all this hoarding, it’s ridiculous, isn’t it?” said Mrs Linehan.

Resthaven CEO Richard Hearn said it vitally was important to remember that older people were extremely vulnerable to viral infections such as COVID-19 and influenza.

He called on everyone to follow the mandatory government guidelines regarding visiting residential aged care homes announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on 18 March (read more here).

“All Resthaven residential aged care homes have implemented these restrictions, to safeguard the health of older people – like Jean – who have invited Resthaven to support them in their individual circumstance.

These restrictions include a ban on anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated against the flu from entering an aged care home from 1 May.

“All Resthaven staff and volunteers are also offered a free influenza vaccination every year,” Mr Hearn said.

“Stay safe, wash your hands, and, most importantly, look after each other.”

Comment on the story below. Follow Australian Ageing Agenda on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, sign up to our twice-weekly newsletter and subscribe to AAA magazine for the complete aged care picture.