The need to urgently address New Zealand’s shambolic health system is again under scrutiny
When I was younger, I thought I was bullet proof. Everything worked as it should and I took my physical aptitude for granted. Then I turned 65! All of a sudden, I had a knee and hip riddled with arthritis and an eye which needed injections every month.
I do not meet the criteria to go on the public health waiting list for my knee and I haven’t even gone down that road for my hip. I just hope that the injections work for my eye. Ageing is not for sissies!
All jokes aside, our health system is in disarray with our seniors suffering pain and frustration due to long waiting lists for chronic orthopaedic and cataract surgeries, to name a few.
When told that your condition needs surgery but you don’t meet the criteria for care in the public health system, and you cannot afford to go privately, where do you turn next?
This is one of the many issues an ageing New Zealand population is facing. We are the highest users of the health system. Why?
The problem is when one part of the body starts deteriorating other parts go out in sympathy. A bad hip affects your mobility then the back starts to hurt. Your mental health is affected by depression, anger, frustration, isolation and moodiness.
Furthermore, our quality of life reduces and we may find ourselves taking pain killers regularly. We want to visit our GP hoping to be heard but getting an appointment is hard – often days out.
Grey Power Federation has heard its members so we booked October visits with government ministers to discuss such issues as well as our concerns as to why our situations are less important than those of younger generations.
The outcome of those visits are stated on pages 1 and 6 of the magazine.
There are some who think that people 70 years and over are past their sell by date, but I can assure them that without these important seniors, with all their vast knowledge and experience, New Zealand would crumble.
This age group makes up the majority of our volunteer population, we are caregivers for our grandchildren and the wise voice that comes with ageing.
However, we need to be fit and healthy to meet all challenges, now and in the future. So, in my role as president, supported by a dedicated board, I aim to see that Grey Power is the voice of all seniors living in New Zealand.
The Federation will continue to lobby government ministers, urging them to secure solutions not only for the welfare of seniors but that of the country where we still play an integral role.
To you all, enjoy the festive season and New Year celebrations – we’re still able to make merry!
