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No.1, February 2001 CONTENTS:
I am proud to be your voice around the Cabinet table. Underlying all my efforts, and that of Government, is a strong commitment to the concept of positive ageing.
After one year in office, the Labour-Alliance Coalition has already made a lot of progress on older people's issues. We have increased the rate of superannuation, raised the threshold for the community services card and disability allowance, and put $10 million of new funding into carer support and respite care. We have set up an Older Persons Directorate inside the Ministry of Health so that we can focus on the particular health needs of older people. We are also considering the National Health Committee's recommendation to separate the funding of older people's health from the Disability Support Services budget. I personally support this separation, which I believe would enable us to meet the different needs of older people and people with disabilities more effectively. Wider Government policies, such as the introduction of income-related rents, have benefited many older people. In response to widespread concerns, we have also commissioned concerns, we have also commissioned an independent review of the new driver licensing regime and its impact on older people.
UN INTERNATIONAL YEARS OF OLDER PERSONS (1999) AND VOLUNTEERS (2001) In June 2000, we launched the final report on the International Year of Older Persons (1999) and the findings of a research project into the factors affecting the ability of older people to live independently. Positive attitudes to ageing emerged as the most critical issue, followed by income, family and neighbourhood contacts, support with health and disability needs, housing and security, access to transport, recreation, education and work. This research will make an important contribution to ongoing policy work for older people. The concept of Volunteer Community Co-ordinators has been so successful that we have now appointed a national co-ordinator, and are increasing the number of co-ordinators from 27 to 40. A Small Grants Fund has been set up to fund the co-ordinators' activities to promote positive ageing. We are also fostering greater cooperation between central and local government on older people's issues. A Local Government Forum was held in November 2000, and a second forum is planned to coincide with the launch of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy in April. The United Nations has designated 2001 as International Year of Volunteers. Older people make a significant contribution as volunteers in our communities, doing around 15 per cent of all unpaid work. Lottery Grants Board funding of $500,000 will help support activities promoting volunteers throughout the year. Watch out particularly for Volunteer Awareness Week, 11-17 March.
Overarching all our work on behalf of older people is the development of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to improve opportunities for older people to participate in the community in the ways that they choose. It will provide a framework for developing all policy with implications for older people, across a wide range of government departments and agencies. Principles: The following principles will underpin Government policy relating to older people:
Consultation: Forty-three consultation meetings were held throughout New Zealand involving community focus groups, Maori, Pacific people, non-government and aged care sectors, and expert and advisory groups. Participants were asked what Government should focus on to create a society where people could age positively. Almost 600 responses were received, mostly from individuals. The most important areas identified were health, income support, positive ageing, transport, home support services and carers, and government planning/policy. Action plan: Every government department has done an initial stocktake of existing policies, programmes and services with implications for older people. An action plan is now being developed across all portfolios. It will be launched as part of the Positive Ageing Strategy , and will include appropriate targets, timeframes and suggested outcome measurements to promote positive ageing. Launch: The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy will be launched on 10 April in the Old Government Building, as part of a second forum with local government leaders and Volunteer Community Co-ordinators. It will be an information-sharing seminar on action to promote positive ageing and strengthening communities. More details will be available closer to the time.
The Ministry of Justice is evaluating the Law Commission's report on retirement villages, including a proposal for separate legislation. I know this is an important issue for older people and I will keep you informed about developments.
Early notice: A group of older people from Marlborough are planning to walk from Cape Reinga to Bluff to promote the benefits of exercise. The walk, coordinated by Sport Marlborough, will take place between August and November 2001. The aim of the walk is to encourage older people to join Kiwi Seniors walking groups and other community-based programmes to improve their health, independence and quality of life. For more details, contact Sport Marlborough (Blenheim), phone (03) 577 8855, fax (03) 577 8894 or Don and Sheena Bradfield, 24 Selwyn Street, Blenheim 7301, phone (03) 577 6635, e-mail: don.sheena@xtra.co.nz
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Greetings for the year 2001 and welcome to the first issue of Positive Ageing. As the Government enters its second year in office, I have decided to publish a newsletter to keep you informed about policies and activities which affect older people. Please pass it on your colleagues and wider networks, and let me know what you think of it. Further issues will be published as required.
