During the peak of the first wave of COVID-19, peak advocacy group National Seniors asked older Australians what they were concerned about and what resources they needed.

More than a 1100 people responded and their comments were documented in a new 33-page report, Older Australians' life and care during the pandemic.

"We need to learn quickly from the first phase to do things much better in the second phase," said National Seniors chief executive John McCallum.

A third of the respondents were providing care for a loved one, who said they needed:

Professor McCallum said the respondents had difficulty applying the COVID-19 social distancing rules while caring.

"These people are providing primary care including doing the shopping and were concerned they were putting both themselves and those they cared for at risk," he said.

"They were also worried that no one would be able to care for their loved one if they, the carer, contracted the virus."

Older people, especially those relying on investment returns as retirement income, said they felt financially "forgotten" by the government.

"Investor retirees take pride in not relying on the government for support," Professor McCallum said. "Suddenly they lose their income and feel they are not even acknowledged by the government.

"We're looking to the Retirement Income Review to take action on this."

Respondents also expressed anger and frustration at the panic buying at the start of the lockdown, especially the run on medicines, which left many fearful about securing supplies.

Read the full report here: