Concerns are growing that several recent and proposed ACC policy changes could damage the health and quality of life of older New Zealanders.
Dunedin lawyer Peter Sara highlighted age-related worries late last week in a submission, via video conference links, to a parliamentary select committee considering changes to the ACC legislation.
It was "unjust" that a proposed law change to introduce a 6% threshold for work-related hearing loss could deny hearing-aid funding for older workers whose hearing had previously been gradually damaged by "toxic" levels of workplace noise, Mr Sara said in an interview.
"The other disturbing thing is that it has a look of ageism about it."
The New Zealand Audiological Society has criticised the threshold proposals as adversely affecting the elderly.
Critics say that people with less than 6% of overall hearing loss have often lost 50% of their hearing of high-pitched sounds, and would struggle to hear their grandchildren's voices.
Mr Sara said some older, retired people also found it increasingly hard to gain ACC support, including funding for surgery after being injured in falls, with ACC officials suggesting that apparent physical injuries actually reflected age-related physical deterioration.
There was "a culture of denial and cost-cutting" at ACC, he said.
ACC was approached for comment late last week, but no response has been received.
Funding has been cut for a falls prevention programme in the home involving older people, based on internationally-recognised research led by Prof John Campbell, of the Otago Medical School.
ACC officials say ACC is maintaining its overall commitment to falls prevention and that a tai chi-related programme for older people will continue next year.
Age Concern Otago executive officer Susan Davidson said older people were "the glue that holds our society together" in many ways, including through their extensive voluntary work, such as looking after grandchildren.
Ms Davidson was also concerned about ACC-related issues and said a fall at home could have "huge" effects on older people and their families.
One key positive aspect was that Age Concern New Zealand had high-level input to the ACC on its concerns, through membership of a national committee.
SOURCE: ODT.CO.NZ
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