Older New Zealanders live well and age well in age-friendly communities..
That is the vision guiding the draft of a new Health of Older People Strategy released in July.This vision will be supported by a system oriented to:
- Healthy ageing
- High quality acute and restorative care
- Living well with health conditions
- Better support for people with high & complex needs
- Respectful end of life
“We are living longer than ever, which is a blessing. We can add quality to life through a focus on healthy ageing and empowering people to live well,” said Minister Hon Peseti Sam Lotu-Iga in announcing the release of the Strategy.
The wellbeing of older people is vital to our future. Over the next 20 years, almost all the population growth in this country will come from those aged over 55 years. That means in 20 years time there will still be around 1.5 million people aged under 25 but the total population will have grown by one million more people to 5.5 million.
The strategy is build around a “person-centred” approach that also recognises that those who have the highest needs may also be the ones who have fewest resources and least capacity to meet those needs. Different population groups, such as Māori males, are impacted more by poorer health and life expectancy.
Keeping central principles like universal access to quality healthcare, building age-friendly communities and recognising the health benefits of housing, social support and transport are all acknowledged in the draft Strategy.
There has been extensive input from a wide range of individuals and organisations as the Ministry of Health has drafted this strategy and now the Ministry is seeking feedback on the draft Health of Older People Strategy.
NZCCSS is working on analysis and comment which we will share as through our website. We also encourage you to share your thoughts and responses to the ideas and actions proposed in the document.
Comments are due by 7th September 2016. Go the the Health Older People Strategy update webpage to download the consultation document, provide comment directly through the online discussion forum or you can provide feedback at public workshops being held over the coming weeks:
| Location | Date | Time | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Christchurch | Monday, 15 Aug 2016 | 9 am to 1 pm | Register for the Christchurch workshop |
| Dunedin | Tuesday, 16 Aug 2016 | 9 am to 1 pm | Register for the Dunedin workshop |
| Wellington | Friday, 19 Aug 2016 | 9 am to 1 pm | Register for the Wellington workshop |
| Auckland | Monday, 22 Aug 2016 | 10 am to 1.30 pm | Register for the Auckland workshop |
| Hamilton | Tuesday, 23 Aug 2016 | 9 am to 1 pm | Register for the Hamilton workshop |