Over 70s feeling lonely in lockdown welcome rules being relaxed

The two-visitor rule will come into effect in NSW from Friday and offer some relief for those who have been further isolated by weeks of public health advice that people over the age of 70 should remain at home.

Junee's Helen Wrightson, who is 77 years old and has been living alone since the death of her husband in 2015, said she was pleased about the updated rules.

"I have welcomed the news. You have to size everything up in life when you get older and yes it's going to be fantastic. It's my daughter's birthday this weekend," Mrs Wrightson said.

She knows many women who have been lonely during the coronavirus lockdown, including some who are aged in their 90s and would usually only get to socialise once a week at the Wagga Laurel Club's bingo night.

"If they can't get out it makes it difficult, they've got to rely on people," Mrs Wrightson said.

Wagga Senior Citizens' Club president Jim Weeden said he was concerned for older people who lived by themselves.

Some of the club's 160 members have been taking iPad lessons to stay in contact with each other and with their families.

"People ring us and we will see what we can do to help them ... we try and keep in contact with as many as we can," Mr Weeden said.

"It's just those who don't have computers or iPads. They're a bit of a worry."

CSU social sciences lecturer Belinda Cash said more than half of older adults had limited digital literacy.

Loneliness, Dr Cash said, was detrimental to a person's health regardless of their age, but older people could feel its effects more acutely.

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"We're seeing that the way this generation of adults is experiencing community connection ... is quite different," Dr Cash said.

When the virus struck, it changed everything, particularly for those whose children have grown and whose partner might have died or had to move into aged care.

"The risks of social isolation are suddenly huge. They've become really disconnected from even just the little trips to the shop and the little conversations you have when you pop into the pharmacy" Dr Cash said.

"It's taken away some of those small but really important interactions that older adults have on a day-to-day basis."

Mrs Wrightson said older people did not take their time with loved ones for granted, nor did they have "the wherewithal" to get out and socialise frequently.

"You're living on the precipice I suppose," she said.

"And we just laugh about it. Because that's life."