A new group has been formed in Tauranga to address concerns about the level of care provision for older people living in their own homes.
The newly-formed Home Support Services Advocacy Group is made up of nine representatives from long-established local organisations, and it's chairperson is Angela Scott.
'Age Concern Tauranga, Rural Women NZ Tauranga branch, Grey Power WBOP, and Tauranga National Council of Women are all involved,” says Angela.
She says the group believe it may be difficult for the fast-growing older generation of the Western Bay of Plenty to receive the help and support they need to stay well and supported in their own homes. 'This group [of older Kiwis aged 65-plus] is expanding at an unprecedented pace and is expected to accelerate,” says Angela.
'Strong home support services to keep people well and happy and out of the overburdened hospital system is essential. We want the best possible delivery and monitoring of home-based support services for older persons in the WBOP.”
More planning
As such, Angela says the group believes more planning is needed for the increased ageing population – particularly for those aged 65-plus.
'Our group is working towards an ongoing and timely engagement between the community, Maori and the relevant Te Whatu Ora local leaders with mutual respect and trust.”
Angela points to the United Nations' ‘Decade of Healthy Ageing (2021–2030)' – a global collaboration, aligned with the last 10 years of the Sustainable Development Goals, to improve the lives of older people, their families, and the communities in which they live.
'[In regard to funding models] Planning and action is needed now to ensure a constant and sustainable stream of skilled support staff can provide short or long term care for people at home.
'Health, iwi, and social service providers need to be courageous with innovative decision-making about funding models for local communities and ways to improve and increase services to older and more vulnerable people in their own homes,” says Angela.
Valuable resource
'As the United Nations has said, a long life is an incredibly valuable resource – particularly if extra years of life are spent in good health and social participation. Further, an ageing population is affecting our community and society in areas such as housing, long-term care, transport and communication.
'Family structures and ties between generations have also changed – and by 2030 the number of people aged above 60 will be 34 per cent higher than it was in 2020 – particularly in countries such as NZ.” If you'd like to know more, email Angela at: ageconcerntga@xtra.co.nz