New Zealand First is proud to be progressing policy commitments from our coalition agreement which prioritise the wellbeing of our older New Zealanders. It recognises that an ageing population is not a burden we need to overcome, but a privilege which enriches our communities. It is difficult to find a single charity, sports club, church group, community organisation or even a family, which is not reliant on the time, energy and commitment of retirees.
We know an increasing number of older citizens continue to work well past the age of 65. But we also know those living on a fixed income, whilst dealing with the impact of health issues, face significant challenges. For that reason, we continue to look at ways to improve quality of life for seniors. This includes prioritising the review of the aged care system and developing housing options. It is clear that the current model for aged care funding is no longer fit for purpose and is not set up for future demands.
The Government is making it a priority to deliver a better funding model with further work needed to increase funding and investment. We also need a major shift in how we consider the challenges surrounding ageing more broadly.
In the next 15 years, the number of New Zealanders aged 65 will increase substantially and the over-85 population will double. This demographic change provides further incentive to get aged care services right. However, it’s also insightful to look at how older citizens are currently living.
In June there were almost 900,000 over-65s. Some 80,000 receive home and community support services each year, and around 37,000 people receive residential care. This figure, allowing for those who are receiving hospital treatment, means 85% of those over 65 are not within the aged care system. We must balance our planning to include this number.
Being able to choose where to live proactively safeguards long-term quality of life. Preventative measures, such as exercise and social interaction, can also mitigate against physical and cognitive decline.
We want to ensure seniors can live where they choose – usually near family and friends – as independently and healthily for as long as possible. We will ensure this remains a priority.
