Hello again. I think the last time I was in touch with you all was more than four years ago when I was still the Minister for Seniors.
After the 2020 election I spent several years doing odd jobs, so to speak, for the Government. I helped redesign the remuneration system for teacher aides, I helped settle the secondary teachers’ strikes as a member of the arbitration panel, I renovated a caravan and, after years of being away from home, I spent a lot of quality time with my husband.
I enjoyed those days without politics, without having to get up at an ungodly hour to get in a car or on a plane. I most definitely did not want a job! Until I saw this job advertised.
There are two sectors of our community I am passionate about – children and elders.
Although there are many parts of life in between these two milestones, both stages of life affect us all. So, when I saw that the Aged Care Association was seeking a new chief executive I threw my hat in the ring.
As the Minister for Seniors, who consulted on and developed the Better Later Lives Strategy, I was very aware of the challenges (created by an ageing population) facing our country and our elder community. However, I believe our elders do not receive the recognition and support they have the right to expect from their government.
Oh yes, I know we have universal superannuation which isn’t means or asset tested as in Australia. And, I was proud to be part of a government which introduced the winter energy payment for Gold Card holders.
But these are not ‘nice to haves’, they are the basic necessities and it isn’t a serious conversation which suggests removing or restricting these supports by arguing that our young are not as well supported. This is not a situation of “either or”, this is a situation of “and and”.
Both community sectors deserve to be supported and cared for to live their best lives to the end of their lives. So, that ideal drove me take this position and again fight for senior communities.
Grey Power came into being in February 1986 with the goal of pushing back on the impost of a surtax on Superannuation. The organisation was successful.
[Now] I implore Grey Power, and its members, to join our association’s ‘Army of Allies’ as we fight once again for those aged 65-105 to be able to live and, let’s face it, die with dignity.
Te Whatu Ora is presently reviewing the delivery and funding model for aged care. This review encompasses home and community care and residential care. The major goal is to minimise the time a senior spends in hospital. While, we all want to get in and out of hospital as fast as we can we also want to be well and able to carry on with our lives.
But unless the “best of care” for those seniors involved is front and centre in this redesign, I have serious concerns the result will work for the system but not for our people.
I will be seeking meetings with your governors over the next few months to discuss this opportunity further.
In the meantime, I welcome invitations to speak at Grey Power meetings around the country. What is set in place now will affect us all in our most vulnerable moments – let’s ensure the goal is to keep us safe, not to just save some money.
I welcome invitations to speak at Grey Power meetings around the country. What is set in place now will affect us all in our most vulnerable moments – let’s ensure the goal is to keep us safe, not to just save some money. Email me at tracey@nzaca.org.nz
