As retired people aged 70, my husband and I haven’t had to make too many changes to our quiet, measured sort of life. Walking, reading, cooking, the garden, our weekender in the Blue Mountains. This is what we do anyway. We are very lucky. But it’s the di

As retired people aged 70, my husband and I haven’t had to make too many changes to our quiet, measured sort of life. Walking, reading, cooking, the garden, our weekender in the Blue Mountains. This is what we do anyway. We are very lucky. But it’s the difference it’s made to family life that’s significant.

One daughter is in the UK on a 6-month course, due home August: we don’t know if she will be able to get back then. Another daughter is pregnant, lives not far away, but we haven’t been able to see her and her husband for six weeks. Youngest daughter and family, 10 minutes away, but can’t hug our 2-and 4-year -old grandkids. This seems insignificant compared to many who are really struggling, but it’s the story of many older people at the moment.