Age Concern New Zealand: Questions for Candidates (NEW ZEALAND)

Age Concern New Zealand This Month 45 Monday, 31 October 2011, 3:43 pm Press Release: Age Concern

Number 45: October 2011

This month our pre-election briefing to Ministers, MPs and political parties was sent out, along with our questions for political candidates. We look forward to hearing how party hopefuls plan to promote the major needs of older New Zealanders.

We were invited to make an application to the Strategic Leadership Institute to be a case study for its course for corporate directors, taking place in Queenstown November 9-10. Our application was accepted.

We have spent time providing information about Age Concern to a case writer. It has involved several team and Board members from national office and Age Concern Wellington and Auckland responding to questions through interview.

We were pleased with the media coverage our Patron’s Award competition received this month. This included an article in The Dominion Post, the Wellingtonian and an interview on Hutt Radio. See more event coverage below.

This month we also:

• Reminded people who have their New Zealand Superannuation paid directly into a bank account to check they are receiving concessions on bank charges.
• Reminded New Zealand businesses older people are important consumers.
• Advised older people to seek advice before disposing of their assets
• Applauded the Wellington District Health board for dropping telephone assessments for home help and called on other District Health Boards to follow suit.

Election 2011 is fast approaching - these are the questions we are asking candidates. 

1. Some older people can’t afford to go to their GP or to the dentist. What will you do to make essential health care more affordable?

2. Elder abuse and neglect can cost older people their independence, life-savings, health and security. What will you do to help Age Concern combat elder abuse?

3. Older people in hospital and in residential care are not always treated with dignity and respect.What will you do to promote dignity in care?

4. Ageist attitudes lead to elder abuse. What will you do to challenge ageism and promote respect for older people?

5. Age Concern’s specialist elder abuse prevention services are stretched to capacity. What will you do to help Age Concern cope with demand for our services? What will you do to help us establish services in areas that do not have one?

6. Loneliness and social isolation can cost older people their health and independence, and more than 40,000 older New Zealanders are severely and chronically lonely. What will you do to help them stay socially connected?

7. Some older people can’t afford to eat well or keep warm. What will you do to help older people in hardship?

8. Older people want home support that allows them to live safely and with dignity in their own homes.What will you do to ensure older people get the home support they need?

Abridged
SOURCE:     SCOOP.CO.NZ
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