Press Release – Age Concern Each year tens of thousands of vulnerable and isolated older New Zealanders come to Age Concerns around the country for help. In Auckland alone, Age Concern works with almost 10,000 vulnerable older kiwis – providing them with essential services and support to overcome abuse, neglect, loneliness, isolation and social issues impacting on them. There are some stark national statistics too. Age Concern understands 20 per cent, or one in five older New Zealanders experience loneliness and isolation, and up to 10 per cent, or one in ten are victims of elder abuse. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, like other social agencies, Age Concern has seen an increase in need among the people it works with. Although for many of the isolated older people they work with the negative impacts of COVID-19 were just how their life is year-in-year-out.