Challenges for the elderly during, and after, COVID-19 restrictions, can be tackled.

It has been a long two years for many older people in Ballarat, as well as across the state broadly, yet further difficulties could possibly arise over coming days, weeks, and months, according to those who work in the area of the aged.

Tania Watson-Leishman, Victoria community programs manager with Australian Red Cross, has engaged with a number of volunteers to find out exactly what they have been hearing from their clients in recent times.

The volunteers work for Red Cross' Telecross service which provides those in need with a daily telephone call to check on personal wellbeing.

Based on feedback received, Ms Watson-Leishman wants younger community members to be aware of the imminent situation faced by mature community members

A helping hand will be needed.

"It's important to help (the elderly) reconnect with family and friends and their community groups," said Ms Watson-Leishman.

"(It is) also (important) to explain what they can and can't do so they feel confident getting back to their regular routines.

"Many will need help navigating the QR codes and Vic Service apps.

"Most importantly, let them get back to being part of a community again."

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The pandemic's ramifications have reverberated amongst senior citizens as seen by many of the Red Cross' volunteers.

"A lot of the elderly were very isolated and often the chat with one of our Telecross volunteers would be the only conversation they had that day," Ms Watson-Leishman said.

"Some struggled to express their feelings and others (felt) a loss of independence and (were) sad because they hadn't been able to see their family.

"They missed their social lives and friends who they would normally have seen."

A variety of factors contributed to the plight of the elderly during the global health crisis, according to Ms Watson-Leishman.

"Already isolated, the pandemic added an extra layer of sadness and loneliness," she said.

"There was also a greater sense of loss because some can't easily navigate Facetime or Zoom to connect with their loved ones.

"Many of our clients felt like they needed to put on a brave face, but underneath they were struggling and hurting, and they didn't have anyone to talk to about it.

"Not being able to see their family was hard as it robbed them of having something to look forward too. There was no one to give them that hug or hold their hand."

For Ms Watson-Leishman, the message needed to be heard by those advanced in years during the pandemic, and the message which still needs to be heard by the elderly, is clear-cut.

"They matter, they are valued, and someone cares," she said.

Mount Helen's Margaret Cassells has been able to ride out the pandemic, although she is looking forward to her family being able to gather together for Christmas.

The 88 year-old comes across as a force of nature and, despite being unable to have her family visit over the last number of months and on other occasions during the global health crisis, she has held firm.

During an extensive period in which home visits have been restricted, Mrs Cassells has fortunately been able to enjoy the company of her three sons and a daughter-in-law at the Sebastopol Bowling Club which has helped alleviate loneliness.

"(The family) yells out to me, 'Mum, we're going down (to practise at the club)'. So they see me," Mrs Cassells said.

Bowling has been a saviour for Mrs Cassells.

"If anybody's lonely, please join a bowling club!" she recommends.

So significant has the bowling club been to Mrs Cassells, particularly during the pandemic, she will literally be part of the furniture when she moves on.

"I would say, when I die, they'll give me a big do there," she said.

A life member of the organisation, Mrs Cassells has continued to gain a great sense of belonging from the place, vital throughout the COVID era, to the point she is able to predict what happens when her time in the mortal world comes to an end.

"They'll put my name on a seat next to (late husband) Clive's seat," Mrs Cassells said.

"The ashes will go on the green. No cemetery for us!"

Coming from a family of 12, life was tough for the diminutive character. This baptism of fire possibly prepared Mrs Cassells for the ramifications of COVID-19.

She fell deaf at the age of 2, the loss of hearing linked to an infection from teething. It was suggested the infection went to the ears.

As a young girl, the Ballarat native would continue to confront hurdles.

Mrs Cassells left school at 13. As a 14 year-old, she began work at the Sunshine Biscuit factory, placing chocolate on the biscuits.

"One day, I collapsed and they told me I was too little," she said.

Mrs Cassells engaged in further physical labour, being employed at two other well-known Ballarat institutions in her adolescence, Sunnyside Woolen Mill and Paddles Shoe factory.

Due to her deafness and leaving school so early, Mrs Cassells was unable to read and write for many years. Once her own children had left school and home, she was intent on evolving.

"I didn't want to be looked down upon," Mrs Cassells said.

At the age of 54, having returned to formal education, Mrs Cassells received her Year 10 certificate at the School of Mines and Industries Ballarat. She attended school three nights a week for half-a-year. Judging from her 1987 school report, the mature-aged student's approach was exemplary, being praised for her attitude, attendance, homework, spelling, writing, reading, and speech.

A wise daughter-in-law also provided invaluable assistance.

"If you really want to learn to read and talk nicely, here's a dictionary," Mrs Cassells said, repeating the words of her daughter-in-law at the time.

With an education under her belt, Mrs Cassells became a prolific poet.

The ability to persevere against the odds has been worth its weight in proverbial gold.

Mrs Cassells has also had to contend with the death of her late husband, Clive, who passed away eight years ago. The two first met on a blind date, although Mrs Cassells was conscious of her parents' expectations.

"I was very lucky. I met him on a blind date," Mrs Cassells said.

"My mother and father were too religious to let me out. I told mum and dad a lie; I told them I was going to a girlfriend's."

However, the occasion clearly went well given subsequent events. A young Mr Cassells was even able to infiltrate his future mother-in-law's good books.

"He'd take out a loaf of bread, a bag of tomatoes, a family brick (ice cream)," Mrs Cassells said.

"Mum would cut it so thin we would all get a bit. He worked his way in with mum. He knew how to handle mum."

With the threat of the Delta strain still present, Mrs Cassells will not be perturbed. She previously had a brush with the grim reaper when giving birth to one of her three sons, Stephen.

"When he was born, I nearly died," Mrs Cassells said.

"They told me he would live or I would. We both lived."

A commitment to others ahead of herself has had benefited many. She prays every night. She teaches meditation to others and reaches out to people who are ill. Empathy and understanding are preached.

Her kindness will be of immense value in the near future as society progresses from a tumultuous two years.

"If you have an argument, finish it and say, 'I believe you're right' and walk away," Mrs Cassells said.

"I brought up my family to always forgive."

Mrs Cassells' poems are often illustrative of her values system and what sustains her. The poem also provides guidance for how society could best manage the period of the state opening up:

If we can reach out and give a little of ourselves to someone else, we could be surprised how contented our own lives become.

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