A Time to Celebrate the Contribution of Older People

Minister for Senior Citizens Hon Maggie Barry has urged all New Zealanders to value the special contribution that older people make to our families and communities. “Seniors play a pivotal role and are a very positive influence on our economy, workplaces and communities, which is only going to grow as our population ages,” she says.

group-stretches-wideShe also reports on some of the positive steps the Government has taken to support the wellbeing of older people, including increasing  the superannuation rate by 31% since 2008 (well ahead of inflation). This is also well ahead of any increases for families with children and others relying on other forms of government support over the same period.

Age Concern has recognised two Dignity Champions to mark the 2015 International Day of Older Persons. Listener columnist Sally Blundell is honoured for her reporting on the situation of older people in the Listener magazine and Margaret Dando from Age Concern Otago who has developed a very successful falls prevention programme called Steady As You Go.

Retirement Villages – Club Med or a siloed generation?

Meanwhile NZ Herald social issues reporter Simon Collins contributed a thought-provoking article on the mixed blessing that the exponential growth in retirement villages is for today’s older people. While the lifestyle suits many people very well, most older people do not live in such villages and it is vital that we seek to build “age-friendly communities” by making buildings, public transport and other facilities accessible for people who may need walking sticks or mobility scooters to get around.

Read about other events to mark the day on the SuperSeniors website