The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy...The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy Annual Report 2004/2005 was published in August 2005 by the Office for Senior Citizens, Ministry

PositiveAgeing

Strategy

The New Zealand

Annual Report1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy Annual Report 2004/2005was published in August 2005 by the Office for Senior Citizens, Ministryof Social Development

Design and Print by Graphetti Ltd

ISSN 1176-0125

This document is available on the following websites:www.osc.govt.nzwww.beehive.govt.nz/ministerlist.cfm (Hon Ruth Dyson)

Links to translations of a Positive Ageing Strategy summaryin Mäori and six Pacific languages are available at:www.osc.govt.nz/positive-ageing-strategy.html#summary

Copies are available from:Office for Senior Citizens, Ministry of Social DevelopmentGround Floor, West Block, Charles Fergusson BuildingPO Box 12 136, Bowen Street, Wellington, New Zealand

Phone: +64 4 916 3758Fax: +64 4 916 3778Email: [email protected]

P O S I T I V E A G E I N G S T R A T E G Y A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 4 / 2 0 0 5 1

The Goals of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy

The 10 Positive Ageing goals were developed through nationwide consultation with older people. They reflect the priority

issues that were identified to improve opportunities for older people to participate in the community in the way they choose.

The goals are:

1. Secure and adequate income for older people

2. Equitable, timely, affordable and accessible health

services for older people

3. Affordable and appropriate housing options for older

people

4. Affordable and accessible transport options for older

people

5. Older people feel safe and secure and can “age in place”

6. A range of culturally appropriate services allows choices

for older people

7. Older people living in rural communities are not

disadvantaged when accessing services

8. People of all ages have positive attitudes to ageing and

older people

9. Elimination of ageism and the promotion of flexible

work options

10. Increasing opportunities for personal growth and

community participation.

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy was launched by the Minister for Senior Citizens on 10 April 2001. The

Strategy sets out the Government’s vision for a society where people can age positively, where older people are

highly valued, and where they have continuing opportunities for participation. The aim of the Strategy is to ensure

Government policies support this vision.

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy establishes 10 goals for Government action. These goals have the common

aim of improving opportunities for older people and are wide ranging in their application. They include goals for

secure and adequate incomes, accessible services, personal growth, and the elimination of age discrimination. In

addition, each goal identifies key actions that older people consider are priorities for the Government.

Government departments undertake work items to contribute to the goals and to advance the key actions of the New

Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy. Their contributions are co-ordinated through annual Positive Ageing Action Plans.

In the fourth Action Plan, for the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005, departments identified 164 work items contributing

to the Strategy, across 41 government agencies and four local authorities. A new Action Plan for 2005/2006 has been

produced to continue the momentum for the next year.

This is a report on the action plan for 2004/2005. It sets out what progress has been achieved on the specific work

items departments undertook from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005. In the report, achievements are recorded for each

work item in the Action Plan 2004/2005. The following information is provided for each work item:

• project name

• objective(s) of the project

• relevance to the goals of the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy

• measures of achieving the project objective

• achievements for 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005.

Highlights of government action on the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy for 2004/2005 include:

• Guidelines for Specialist Health Services for Older People published September 2004

• the New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Act 2005 passed in April 2005, allowing

for a three-yearly review of Government’s retirement income policy

• increases in the number of students 65 years and older in tertiary education and in Adult and Community

Education courses

• 45,000 copies of PeoplePower–Successful Diversity at Work advocating employment strategies for older workers

distributed to employers by the Department of Labour in conjunction with the EEO Trust

• Social Security (Long Term Residential Care) Amendment Act 2004 came into force on 1 July 2005.

Government action on the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy:ANNUAL REPORT 2004/2005

2 P O S I T I V E A G E I N G S T R A T E G Y A N N U A L R E P O R T 2 0 0 4 / 2 0 0 5

Contents

Agency Order of Projects and Actions Page

Accident Compensation Corporation Ageing carers 6

Ageing with a serious injury 6

Assessment processes for older people 6

Fall prevention programmes for older people 7

Falls, function and quality of life: an intervention in residential care 7

Hip protector compliance demonstration sites 7

Implications for ACC of an ageing population 8

Improve knowledge and delivery of ACC and related services 8

Lifetime rehabilitation planning 8

Older People’s working group 8

Rehabilitation pathway for fractured neck of femur 9

Response mechanism for multiple injuries 9

Review of home-based rehabilitation packages of care 9

Archives New Zealand Human Resources – family-friendly policy 10

Ministry for Culture and Heritage Establishment of an online Encyclopedia of New Zealand 10

Establishment of the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior 11

History group publications 12

Office for Disability Issues Review of payments to and support of family caregivers of 13

people with disabilities

Ministry of Education Enabling lifelong learning 13

Office of Ethnic Affairs, Promotion of awareness of ethnic diversity and needs of older 14

Department of Internal Affairs ethnic people

Ministry of Health Ageing in place initiatives 14

Befriending services 14

Dementia care 14

Discussion paper on workforce responses to population ageing 15

Environmental Support Services Framework project 15

Health of Older People Strategy – progressive implementation 16

Managing the hospital and community interface for older people 16

National service specifications for specialist health services 16

for older people

Quality and safety of support services in the community and 17

residential care settings

Removal of asset testing for long-term care 17

Department of Building and Housing Review of the Residential Tenancies Act 1986 18

(formerly Ministry of Housing)

Housing New Zealand Corporation Energy Efficient Retrofit and Modernisation programmes 18

Generic design briefs 18

Inland Revenue Department Health and Safety strategy 18

Leadership Framework – mentoring in the workplace 19

Savings Product working group 19

Taxation of investment consultations 19

Workforce planning 19


Department of Internal Affairs Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) 20

Lottery funding 21

Review of the Rates Rebate Act 1973 21

Department of Labour Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) Trust 22

Future of Work strategy group 22

Workplace issues for older employees 23

Land Transport New Zealand Austroads project on highway design for older people 23

(formerly Land Transport Safety Driver assessment information project 23

Authority) Improvements to older driver re-licensing system 24

Strategic review and development of Safe with Age course 24

Telephone and internet booking of licence tests 24

National Library of New Zealand Human Resources – policies and practices 25

New Plymouth District Council Health workshop 26

Housing for Older People – information and resource pack 26

New Plymouth Positive Ageing Trust 27

Wider communication and development project 27

Positive Ageing centre – One Stop Shop 28

Positive Ageing centre of excellence 28

– Economic Living Standards research project 28

– Retirement research project 29

South Taranaki District Council Housing for older people 29

Positive Ageing strategy 30

Taupo District Council Access to library services 30

Community safety 31

Housing for older people 31

Positive Ageing reference group 31

Rates Postponement policy 32

Christchurch City Council Housing provision and activity services 32

Library and information services 32

Metropolitan Advisor for older adults 33

Parks and Waterways Access policy 33

Physical activity programmes 33

Stay On Your Feet programme 33

New Zealand Artificial Limb Board Model Pathway of Care for Hospital Management of Amputees 34

Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs Consultation with older Pacific peoples 34

Pacific Economic Development 35

Pacific “Linkage” intergenerational initiatives 35

Pacific Workforce Development strategy 36

Strategies for Pacific peoples 36

Support for the Pacific Volunteer Community Co-ordinators – VCCs 37

New Zealand Police Adult Continuing Education – Neighbourhood Support or 37

Community Support Community Patrol

Ministry of Research, Science Wellbeing and ageing 38

and Technology



Office for Senior Citizens, Contribute to research on ageing and ageing issues 38

Ministry of Social Development Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services 38

Interdepartmental network on policy developments affecting 38

older people 39

Intergenerational initiatives 39

Misuse of enduring powers of attorney 39

New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy 40

Retirement Villages Act 2003 40

Volunteer Community Co-ordinators (VCCs) 41

Ministry of Social Development Living Standards research programme 2004/2005 41

– National Office Management of mature job seekers 42

New Zealand Superannuation Amendment Bill 42

Older People’s Policy team 42

Response to the 2003 Periodic Report Group report 42

SAGES – older people as mentors services 43

Social Security Agreements with Cyprus, Hungary, Croatia and Malta 43

Work and Income (Regional Offices)– Auckland Metro Enhancing staff capacity 43

Fall Prevention programme 44

Information to other ethnic communities 44

Information to older Pacific peoples 44

Service delivery to senior clients 44

– Bay of Plenty Community liaison with older people’s organisations 45

Marae services and Pacific peoples’ services 45

Rural home visits 46

Transport options for older people 46

– Canterbury Community liaison 47

Heartland and outreach services 48

Information to older Mäori and other ethnic groups 48

Seminar for people close to entitlement to New Zealand 48

Superannuation

– Central Community involvement 49

Facilitation meetings 49

Supplementary assistance 50

– East Coast Case manager training 50

Client outreach services 50

Health awareness training for staff 50

Liaison with Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services 50

Co-ordinator

Low-cost housing 51

Meetings in familiar surroundings 51

Memorandum of Understanding 51

Pacific Wave/Fono 52

Safety awareness programmes for the older person 52

– Nelson Community expos 52

One Stop Shop 53

Operation Mail Out Westport 53

Rural services 53



– Northland Access to Work and Income services 54

Development of case manager services 54

Health services 55

Housing 55

Interagency and community collaboration 56

Residential Subsidy Unit 56

Staff training and development 56

– Southern Disability Allowance 57

Keeping Independent Now (KIN) seminars 57

Services to Mäori communities 57

Services to rural communities 57

– Taranaki, Wanganui, King Country Community liaison role 58

Healthy Homes working group 58

Literacy research project 58

Mature employment services 59

Positive Ageing forum 59

– Waikato Consistent service to superannuation clients 59

Information brochure for surviving spouses of 60

deceased superannuitants

Information services to older Mäori 60

Liaison with local organisations working with older people 61

Pre-superannuation information dissemination 61

– Wellington Relationships with health services 61

Relationships with housing agencies 62

Relationships with specialist services 62

Staff training 62

Working relationships 63

Sport and Recreation New Zealand Advocacy and sector effectiveness 63

New Zealand Thinksafe Masters Games 63

State Services Commission Human Resources – Work-life Balance project 64

State Sector Retirement Savings Scheme (SSRSS) 64

Te Puni Kökiri Capacity building 64

Governance and appointments 65

Special Housing Action Zones 65

Whänau development 66

Ministry of Transport Review of Older Driver Licensing policy 66

Total Mobility review 67

Health Screen for Drivers project 67

Older People and Transport – alternative mobility options project 67

Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand Commemorations 68

Development of service delivery 68

Ministry of Women’s Affairs Implementation of the five-year Action Plan for New Zealand Women 69

KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIONS FOR THE TEN POSITIVE AGEING STRATEGY GOALS 70


AGENCY PROJECT NAME OBJECTIVE LINK TO POSITIVEAGEING GOALS

CRITERIA/MEASURES OFACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVE

ACHIEVEMENTS FOR1 JULY 2004 TO 30 JUNE 2005

AccidentCompensationCorporation

Ageing carers • Improve supportservices and servicelinks for older people

Goal 5:Older people feel safe

and secure and can “age

in place”

• The needs and issues ofageing carers are identified byfocus groups• Services and service links areimproved

Project deferred to 2005/2006


Ageing with a seriousinjury

• Increase knowledge ofthe impact of an ageingpopulation on futureservice planning anddelivery

Goal 2:Equitable, timely,

affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• The needs and issues of olderclaimants with a serious injuryare identified and solutionsgenerated

Project deferred. Wider project on serviceguidelines under consideration


Assessment processesfor older people

• Work collaborativelywith the Ministry ofHealth to prevent thereoccurrence of falls


affordable and

accessible health


• Claimants in pilot areas witha fall-related claim are referredto a health professional for afree fall-risk assessment andtreatment• Assessment processesevaluated following piloting ofinitiative

This project now part of improveknowledge and delivery of ACC and relatedservices project

New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy Annual Report 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005

Forty-one agencies at central, local and regional levels have identified 164 work items for the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy Action Plan 2004/2005. This includes

actions from central and regional government agencies, four local government authorities and a Crown entity. The work items for central and regional government agencies

are listed in alphabetical order according to agency. Local government authorities are grouped in the middle of the document.






Fall preventionprogrammes for olderpeople

• Reduce the number offalls and the severity ofinjury among olderpeople


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Community exerciseprogrammes increased• Factors that reduce oreliminate falls and risks areidentified through programmeevaluation• Safer lifestyles for olderpeople promoted throughimproved knowledge andassistance with injuryprevention

22 Older Exercise programmes held in 19locations

25 providers delivered modified Tai Chiprogrammes in 53 locations

Quality assurance testing of initial Tai Chiproviders commenced May 2005

Otago exercise programme reached 2% ofolder people aged 80 years and overassessed as being at risk of injury from falls

AccidentCompensationCorporationandHealthResearchCouncil

Falls, function andquality of life: anintervention inresidential care

• Assess the impact ofan interventionprogramme on falls,injuries and quality oflife in residential carefor older people


affordable and

accessible health


• Functional status, quality oflife, adverse effects, falls andcost-effectiveness of theintervention programme aremeasured for six months andassessed for positive change

Preparatory work for study on measures toreduce the number and severity of falls inolder people completed February 2005

22 rest homes in Auckland and 19 resthomes in Christchurch have been recruited toparticipate in study on interventionprogramme on falls, injuries and quality of life


Hip protectorcompliancedemonstration sites

• Reduce the numberand severity of hipfracture injuries in highrisk, frail older adultsliving in long-term care


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Rates of hip fracture injuriesat pilot sites are lower for thosewearing hip protectors

Evaluation of hip protectors completedSeptember 2004. Hip protectors madeavailable to residents of 30 new rest homes






Implications for ACC ofan ageing population

• ACC is informed of thelikely impacts on costsand services, of anageing population


affordable and

accessible health


• Factors that determine howlong older people take torecover from injury areunderstood

Work in progress for older ACC claimantson potential impacts of older people’srecovery time from injury


Improve knowledgeand delivery of ACC andrelated services

• Improve olderclaimants’ access to ACCand related services

Goal 1:Secure and adequate

income for older people


affordable and

accessible health


Goal 10:Increasing opportunities

for personal growth

and community

participation

• Factors considered mosthelpful in rehabilitation andinjury prevention are identified• Feedback from olderclaimants is used to improveinformation material anddelivery of services

Factors considered to be helpful inrehabilitation and injury prevention have notyet been determined

Feedback showed older ACC claimantshave limited detailed knowledge about ACCprovisions and entitlements. Improvedinformation and services to be addressed inthe 2005/2006 year


Lifetime rehabilitationplanning

• Improve planning ofrehabilitation forseverely-injured olderpeople


affordable and

accessible health


• Lifetime rehabilitation plansare used to inform long-termplanning of entitlements

Lifetime rehabilitation planning given to32 older people to inform clients and theirfamilies of available entitlements


Older People’s workinggroup

• Share informationwithin ACC on issuesrelating to ageing


affordable and

accessible health


• Working group informedpolicy development byproviding strategic advice andoversight on issues relating toageing

Older People’s working group metthroughout the reporting period to discussand co-ordinate the reporting of currentprojects for older people, and new projectsto benefit older ACC clients






Rehabilitation pathwayfor fractured neck offemur

• Improve therehabilitation of olderpeople with fracturedneck of femur injuries


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Rehabilitation pathwayaction plan developed

Rehabilitation pathway action plan has notyet been developed. This project has beenextended by three months so that more datacan be included


Response mechanismfor multiple injuries

• Improve the responseto claimants aged 65years and older whoexperience multipleinjuries


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Response mechanism ispiloted and evaluated

Evaluation of the pilot showedimprovements in response times for olderclaimants with multiple injuries and a highlevel of GP support. A further trial is beingheld from March 2005 to February 2006

Partnership with Pegasus Health Group inChristchurch to deliver services to olderpeople with multiple injuries has beenextended by a further 12 months


Review of home-basedrehabilitation packagesof care

• Provide effectivehome-basedrehabilitation carepackages for olderpeople


affordable and

accessible health



secure and can “age in

place”

• Additional care packagesdeveloped in response torecommendations

Review of home-based rehabilitationpackages, completed August 2004, identifiedneed for greater flexibility to address olderclaimants with significant co-morbidities.Recommendations for improvements topackages of care approved forimplementation in 2005/2006





Archives NewZealand

Human Resources –family-friendly policy

• Archives family-friendly policy isappropriate for all staff

Goal 9:Elimination of ageism

and the promotion of

flexible work options

• Family-friendly policy ispositively received by staff

Work, Life and Family/Whänau policyapproved by Archives New Zealand StrategicManagement Group April 2005

Guidelines for Work, Life and Family/Whänau policy include options for phasedretirement, and flexibility of work hours foremployees with older-aged dependents

Work, Life and Family/Whänau policypromoted to staff May 2005

Ministry forCulture andHeritage

Establishment of anonline Encyclopedia of

New Zealand

• Provide an onlinerecord of the memoriesof New Zealanders

Goal 6:A range of culturally

appropriate services

allows choices for older

people

Goal 8:People of all ages have

positive attitudes to

ageing and older people

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• The Encyclopedia of New

Zealand is available online andincreasingly used

The Encyclopedia of New Zealand launchedonline with television coverage February2005

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Establishment of theTomb of the UnknownWarrior

• Create a memorialsymbolising the 27,000New Zealandservicemen and womenburied overseas whileon active service




people




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Commemoration servicesrecognise the contributionsmade to New Zealand'sdevelopment as a nation andhonour and remember all thoseNew Zealanders lost to theirfamilies while on active service• The remains of the UnknownNew Zealand Warrior areinterred in the new tomb on 11November 2004 (ArmisticeDay)

Ceremony held in France 6 November 2004to mark the Commonwealth War GravesCommission returning the Unknown Warriorinto the care of a New Zealand delegation

Memorial service held 11 November 2004at St Paul’s Cathedral Wellington followedby a funeral procession to the National WarMemorial where the remains of the UnknownWarrior were interred in the new tomb






History grouppublications

• Enhance theawareness andknowledge of NewZealand war and socialhistories




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• New Zealanders have anenhanced awareness andknowledge of New Zealandhistory

From Memory oral history programme(collected the histories of New Zealand warveterans from the Second World War andsubsequent conflicts) commenced July 2004

From Memory website launched May 2005,included advice on how to interview warveterans

13 interviews conducted by February 2005,with New Zealand’s D-Day veterans for theFrom Memory project

Collection of oral histories by SecondWorld War veterans The Desert Road: New

Zealanders Remember the North African

Campaign published April 2005 Gallipoli: A Guide to New Zealand

Battlefields and Memorials published April2005

10 public seminars held on historicalprojects from July 2004 to April 2005

Four seminars held June 2005 on NewZealand and the Second World War for theUniversity of the Third Age

History of State Housing in New Zealand,published June 2005, includes interviewswith former state house tenants

Weekly history article shown on the Good

Morning show on TV1 from July to December2004

ANZAC-related website on resources,including guides to organising events in localcommunities, launched April 2005www.anzac.govt.nz





Office forDisabilityIssues,Ministry ofSocialDevelopment

Review of payments toand support of familycaregivers of peoplewith disabilities

• Review options formeeting costsassociated with familycaregiving of peoplewith disabilities,including older peopleas caregivers and asrecipients of care



in place”

• Policy options identified,assessed, consulted on withthe disability sector anddeveloped further

Timeframe for the review has beenextended to the 2005/2006 year due todifficulties in determining the effects of draftoptions on the family caregivers of peoplewith disabilities

Ministry ofEducationandTertiaryEducationCommission

Enabling lifelonglearning

• Improve access toeducation for olderpeople

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Data on the number ofenrolled students aged 65years and over is included inenrolment statistics• Enrolment statistics fortertiary providers indicateincreased age and ethnicdiversity in the studentpopulation

Data on the number of students aged 65years and over enrolled in education,included in the Ministry of Education’s annualProfile and Trends published November 2004

Comparative data between 2002 and 2003shows that:– participation by students aged 65+ in tertiary education increased by 59%As a proportion of all students, participationby students aged 65+ rose from 0.7% in 2002to 1.1% in 2003– participation by Ma-ori aged 65+ in tertiary education increased by 26%– participation by Pacific peoples in tertiary education aged 65+ increased by 59%– participation by students aged 65+ in Adult and Community Education (ACE) courses at Tertiary Education Institutions (TEIs) increased by 97%As a proportion of all students enrolled in ACEand TEIs, participation by students aged 65+increased from 7.7% in 2002 to 8.0% in 2003





Office of EthnicAffairs,Department ofInternal Affairs

Promotion ofawareness of ethnicdiversity and needs ofolder ethnic people

• Increase awareness ofethnic diversity amongolder people




people

• Government agenciesdevelop ethnic responsivenessplans that recognise the needto provide for older ethnicpeople

Presentations given to Department ofLabour, Ministry of Health, Ministry of SocialDevelopment and Department of InternalAffairs to assist them to developresponsiveness plans on ethnic diversity

Ministry ofHealth

Ageing in placeinitiatives

• Older people havecommunity supportoptions as analternative toresidential care



in place”

• Evidence-based report willinform future decisions ondevelopment of long-term careservices for older people withhigh needs

First evaluation report on trial of three“ageing in place” community initiatives inHamilton, Lower Hutt and Christchurchcompleted March 2005 with further report onoutcome of evaluation due after November2005

Ministry ofHealth

Befriending services • Befriending servicesare provided for olderpeople



in place”

• Evaluation of impacts ofaccredited befriending servicesis used by district healthboards (DHBs) to inform futurepurchase decisions

Evaluation report on befriending servicescompleted October 2004. Findings will informpolicy decisions for the national purchasingof services by district health boards

Ministry ofHealth

Dementia care • Improve the qualityand safety of care forolder people who havedementia


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Dementia-specific residentialcare standard in place and used• Families of older people withdementia support documentand are involved in planningand provision of care

Audit Work Book – Guidance for

Residential Services for Older People with

Dementia published April 2005 Dementia Community Care Audit Work

Book commenced November 2004 byStandards New Zealand in consultation withconsumers, families and service providers.Completion expected in October 2005

Information brochure produced ondementia care for consumers and theirfamilies June 2005





Ministry ofHealth

Discussion paper onworkforce responses topopulation ageing

• Identify futuredemand and issues anageing population willplace on the health anddisability supportservices workforce


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Discussion documentidentifies issues for developinghealth and disability supportservices workforce in thecontext of an ageingpopulation

Discussion document addressing healthsector workforce demands issued December2004

Analysis of submissions commenced April2005

Ministry ofHealth –DisabilityServicesDirectorate

Environmental SupportServices Frameworkproject

• Establish anEnvironmental SupportServices (ESS)framework to supportpeople with disabilitiesin their environment,which ensures efficiencyand equity, and isdeveloped inconsultation withdisability consumers


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Older people and theirfamilies participate in planningprocess to develop frameworkto support people withdisabilities in theirenvironment• Report submitted to theMinistry of Health offersrecommendations for a policyand service frameworkconsistent with New ZealandPositive Ageing Strategy andNew Zealand DisabilityStrategy

Older people and their families wereconsulted, through regional meetings, on thedevelopment of a framework to supportpeople with disabilities

Draft report received June 2005 on theproposed Environmental Support ServicesFramework for ongoing funding and provisionof support to people with disabilities





Ministry ofHealth

Health of Older PeopleStrategy – progressiveimplementation

• Continuum of careprogrammes for olderpeople areimplementednationwide by 2010


affordable and

accessible health




in place”




people

• District health boards’ (DHBs)annual plans include specificactions to progress acontinuum of care programmesfor older people

All district health boards’ annual plansidentified work underway on development ofan integrated continuum of care programmefor older people, as part of implementing theHealth of Older People Strategy

Ministry ofHealth

Managing the hospitaland communityinterface for olderpeople

• Support older peoplewho require a mix ofhospital, community-based or residentialcare


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Draft policy paper identifiesand assesses options tomanage hospital andcommunity interface for olderpeople

Paper on assessing options for servicesthat manage hospital/community interfacecompleted June 2005

Ministry ofHealth

National servicespecifications forspecialist healthservices for olderpeople

• Older people havespecialised andintegrated services fortheir care


affordable and

accessible health


• Specialist Health Servicesprovide integrated continuumof care programmes for olderpeople based on guideline• Service specifications reviewis commenced

Guideline for Specialist Health Services for

Older People published September 2004 Ongoing review on service specifications

for assessment, treatment and rehabilitationservices, and mental health services for olderpeople commenced November 2004





Ministry ofHealth

Quality and safety ofsupport services in thecommunity andresidential caresettings

• Community andresidential supportservices for olderpeople meet safety andquality standards


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Policy and service frameworkis developed to provide safe,quality, community andresidential support services forolder people• Identify quality and safetyissues affecting the delivery ofsupport services for olderpeople in the community andin long-term residential care• Joint funding project betweenMinistry of Health, districthealth boards and AccidentCompensation Corporationidentifies and implementspractical measures to improvethe purchasing framework forhome-based support services

Recommendations provided toGovernment December 2004 on developinga policy and service framework for supportservices for older people in the communityand in long-term residential care

Findings from three surveys identifyinghealth providers, workforce, and serviceusers’ perceptions of quality and safetyissues were published August andSeptember 2004

Policy recommendations provided to theMinister of Health and Associate Minister ofHealth on the purchasing framework ofhome-based support servcies 30 June 2005

Ministry ofHealth

Removal of assettesting forlong-term care

• Remove asset testingof older people in long-term residential care


affordable and

accessible health


• Social Security (Long-TermResidential Care) AmendmentBill progressed through allstages and passed into law• Implementation of changesto income and asset testingregime from 1 July 2005• Asset testing for residentialcare is progressively removed• Information provided to thepublic is clear andcomprehensive

Social Security (Long-Term ResidentialCare) Amendment Act passed December2004 comes into force on 1 July 2005





Department ofBuilding andHousing(formerly

Ministry of

Housing)

Review of theResidential TenanciesAct 1986

• Older people living inrental accommodationhave security andaffordable rentaloptions available

Goal 3:Affordable and

appropriate housing

options for older people

• Key government and olderpeople’s advocacy groups areconsulted and providecomments on contents ofdiscussion paper• Review of the ResidentialTenancies Act 1986 (RTA)discussion paper highlightsneed for appropriate andaffordable rental housing forolder people• Needs of older people areidentified and considered inpolicy development stage ofreview

Public consultations on the Review of theResidential Tenancies Act completedFebruary 2005

Policy paper with recommendations to theMinister has been deferred to the secondhalf of 2005

Housing NewZealandCorporation

Energy Efficient Retrofitand Modernisationprogrammes

• Provide appropriatehousing to meet theneeds of older tenants


appropriate housing


• Well-insulated modernhomes are available to oldertenants in social housing

773 modernisation projects completed by30 June 2005

2,317 housing units completed withenergy efficiency retrofit programme by 30June 2005

Housing NewZealandCorporation

Generic design briefs • Provide appropriatehousing for oldertenants


appropriate housing




in place”

• Appropriately designedHousing New ZealandCorporation dwellings areprovided for older tenants

Draft generic brief developed for the PostFamily Unit on design requirements for olderpeople completed June 2005

External review completed May 2005

InlandRevenueDepartment

Health and Safetystrategy

• Older people are safeand well at work




• Initiatives for older workersaround wellbeing, work-lifebalance and superannuationare identified and prioritisedfor action

Initial ongoing review of Safety andWellbeing Strategy 2004–2006 on safety andwellness initiatives to support older workerswas undertaken






Leadership Framework– mentoring in theworkplace

• Provide opportunitieswithin the Departmentfor older workers to beactive as mentors




• Opportunities for thementoring programme areimplemented as part ofLeadership Framework

Mentoring programme designed andpiloted in national office from June 2004. Thepilot has been extended until October 2005


Savings Productworking group

• All employees haveaccess to asuperannuation schemeas a result of theiremployment



• Employees are automaticallyenrolled in scheme unless theydecline• Contributions to the schemeare locked-in until retirementexcept in limited circumstances• Portability of contributions isprovided for between approvedproducts

KiwiSaver superannuation scheme designagreed by Government and announced inMay 2005 Budget


Taxation of investmentconsultations

• Develop options forreform of taxation ofinvestment income,both domestically andoffshore



• Domestic and internationalinvestment income taxationreviewed and problemsidentified• Options identify advantagesand disadvantages and areconsistent with consensus• Best options reported toGovernment

Consultation process for the taxation ofinvestment income completed November2004. Proposals under consideration byGovernment


Workforce planning • Encourage olderworkers to remain in theDepartment’s workforce




• The recruitment and retentionstrategy includes specificmeasures relating to theemployment of older workers

Data collected on age demographics, andrisk factors that contribute to olderemployees exiting the workforce

Findings will inform policy decisions forretaining older employees





Department ofInternal Affairs

CommunityOrganisation GrantsScheme (COGS)

• Older New Zealandersparticipate in COGS



in place”




people

Goal 7:Older people living in

rural communities are

not disadvantaged

when accessing services

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Older people are representedon committees• Grants are made tocommunity organisations thatsupport older people in thecommunity, including grantsfor culturally-specificprogrammes and services forolder people, and to supportisolated older people in ruralcommunities

80% of COGS committees that allocatedgrants in 2004/2005 had at least onemember aged over 65

Requests for nominations for regionalCOGS committees sent to senior citizennetworks for membership elections held inMay 2005

$730,778 distributed in grants to 214community organisations that identified‘seniors/older people’ as the maincommunity sector to benefit from the grant






Lottery funding • Encourage older NewZealanders toparticipate in theircommunities




people



not disadvantaged


Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Senior citizens’ targetedprojects are considered bylottery community committeesas part of their fundingdecisions• Grants made to organisationssupporting older people ageingin place; providing culturally-specific programmes for olderpeople; and supporting olderpeople in isolated ruralcommunities

One national lottery community committeeand 11 regional lottery communitycommittees provided funding targeted atsenior citizens’ projects

Over 600 grants made to organisationsthat supported older people ageing in place;provided culturally-specific programmes forolder people; and supported older people inisolated rural communities


Review of the RatesRebates Act 1973

• Support low incomeproperty ownersincluding older people


appropriate housing




in place”

• Policy options andappropriate thresholds for theRates Rebate Scheme aredeveloped and approved

Cabinet paper on amendments to RatesRebate Act 1973 prepared in consultationwith Office of Senior Citizens, Treasury,Ministry of Social and Development and TePuni Kökiri. Adjustments to Rates RebateScheme were announced by the PrimeMinister on 12 April 2005





Department ofLabour

Equal EmploymentOpportunities (EEO)Trust

• Find solutions toissues relating to theageing workforce







• Workforce initiatives topromote positive ageing aresupported throughpresentations, awards andpublications• University research proposalsrelating to ageing workforceare well supported

Diversity Index 2004 published October2004 on diversity of New Zealand workplacesand practices

Presentation of annual Work & Life AwardsSeptember 2004

Article on workplaces that creatively retainolder workers published in the December2004 issue of Work & Life Bulletin

Research on part-time work presented atthe Social Policy Research and Evaluationconference November 2004

Nine case studies on diverse workplacesinvolving older workers completed as part ofPeoplePower project September 2004

United Kingdom expert on older people DrMary Davies briefed EEO Employers’ groupmembers April 2005

Department ofLabour

Future of Work strategygroup

• Employers, employeesand the public have abetter understanding ofolder people’semployment issues




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Positive initiatives for olderworkers are in place• Good information is availableto employers, employees andthe public on matters relatingto older people’s employment

PeoplePower – Successful Diversity at

Work (with EEO Trust) which providesinformation for older workers andemployment strategies, completed August2004

45,000 copies of PeoplePower – Successful

Diversity at Work publication distributed toemployers

Web-based information as part of thePeoplePower – Successful Diversity at Work

established by EEO Trust





Department ofLabour

Workplace issues forolder employees

• Clarify and provideoptions to respond toworkplace issues forolder employees




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Current workplace issues forolder employees identifiedthrough existing research andfurther consultation• Options for betterinformation and services forolder employees developed

Older people are identified as a prioritygroup in draft Workplace Health and Safetystrategy

Work in progress on improved options forolder employees

LandTransportNew Zealand(formerly Land

Transport Safety

Authority)

Austroads project onhighway design forolder people

• Road safety for olderpeople is improved


accessible transport


• Territorial local authoritiesreceive standard informationon the process forimplementing Road Safety

Guidelines for Older People

Work in progress on draft copy of Road

Safety Guidelines for Older People to be sentto territorial local authorities for comment

LandTransportNew ZealandandAccidentCompensationCorporationandMinistry ofHealth

Driver assessmentinformation project

• Provide information onthe driver assessmentprocess to be used byhealth professionals


affordable and

accessible health





• Clear and concise informationon medical driving assessmentprocess is available to GPs,occupational therapists andolder people

Resource constraints meant that theproject did not proceed





LandTransportNew Zealand

Improvements to olderdriver re-licensingsystem

• The older driver re-licensing system isimproved




• Review completed of Ministerof Transport’s decisions onolder driver conditional licence,automatic-only licence and upto six-monthly renewalprovisions of draft DriverLicence Amendment Rule

Minister for Transport Safety approvedchanges impacting on older drivers. Removalof automatic-only licence, to be included inthe Land Transport (Driver Licensing)Amendment Rule 2005


Strategic review anddevelopment of Safewith Age course

• Older drivers drivesafely for as long aspossible




• Revised video and coursematerials disseminated to Safewith Age course facilitators

Revised video and course material sent toSafe with Age course facilitators


Telephone and internetbooking of licence tests

• Improvedcommunication accessfor booking licence tests






not disadvantaged


• Reduce number of visitsrequired to licensing agent forolder drivers wanting to bookOlder Driver Licence test

Telephone booking for testing older driversincreased from 2.1% to 7.07% in first sixmonths

Internet bookings for testing older driversincreased from 0.07% to 0.39% in first sixmonths





NationalLibrary of NewZealand

Human Resources –policies and practices

• Staff have relevantand appropriateopportunities for growthand development in theworkplace

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Training and developmentbudget caters for appropriateand relevant upskilling andtraining opportunities for staff

Policies introduced to provide staff withopportunities for personal developmentincluded:– work-life initiatives– family-friendly initiatives– flexible work practices– workplace culture– health and wellbeing– personal and professional development

Training opportunities for upskilling staffincluded:– performance development training– facilitation – basic and advanced– Clio training – internal information management system





New PlymouthDistrictCouncilandNew PlymouthPositiveAgeing Trust

Health workshop • Older people arerepresented and able toexpress their viewsabout their future healthneeds and care


affordable and

accessible health





• Representatives of the NewPlymouth Positive Ageing Trustand other key stakeholdersmeet regularly to assess keyhealth initiatives within thedistrict and ensure olderpeople are well represented onhealth matters• Progress made by healthworkshop is reported monthlyto the Trust

New Plymouth health committee metmonthly and reported to the Positive AgeingTrust

Positive Ageing Trust Health Committeeheld a public forum in November 2004attended by approximately 200 older peopleincluding service providers

Positive Ageing Trust attended DistrictHealth Board focus group meetings to planthe Health of Older People Strategy


Housing for OlderPeople – informationand resource pack

• Older people in NewPlymouth DistrictCouncil housing haveaccess to informationregarding tenants’rights, responsibilitiesand key social servicecontacts


appropriate housing




in place”

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• All current and future olderhousing tenants receive adirectory of key social servicesand the resource pack providesclear information on tenants’rights and responsibilities

An information and resource pack wasdeveloped following consultation with localservice providers

Resource packs delivered to all Housingfor Older People tenants






New Plymouth PositiveAgeing Trust

• Older people in NewPlymouth district areactively involved inplanning for andpromoting positiveageing




people




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Representatives of olderpeople’s communityorganisations participate asactive members of NewPlymouth Positive Ageing Trust• Older people in NewPlymouth district are able toaccess information on, andcontribute to, positive ageingissues

Minister for Senior Citizens launched theNew Plymouth Positive Ageing Trust April2005

Positive Ageing Trust met monthly duringthe reporting period

A working group representing the PositiveAgeing Trust met with the New PlymouthDistrict Council to provide input into policydecisions

Four public Positive Ageing forums and twointeractive public workshops held.


Wider communicationand developmentproject

• Extend opportunitiesto older Mäori andethnic groups in NewPlymouth to discusspositive ageing issuesof relevance to them



in place”




people




• Meetings with territorial localauthorities in Taranaki, localkaumätua and representativesof key multi-ethnic groups arewell attended and views ofparticipants are incorporatedinto local planning

Meetings held July 2004 and April 2005with South Taranaki District Council andStratford District Council to discussapproaches to positive ageing

Two meetings held with kauma-tua todiscuss projects specific to the needs of olderMa-ori July 2004 and November 2004

President of New Plymouth ChineseAssociation joined the Positive Ageing TrustFebruary 2005

Meeting held with Multi-Ethnic CouncilJune 2005 to discuss positive ageing supportfor ethnic communities






Positive Ageing centre– One Stop Shop

• Older people in NewPlymouth district areactively involved indetermining howsupport services aredelivered to them




people




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Older people and olderpeople’s service providers areconsulted about creating aOne-Stop Shop positive ageingcentre and have theopportunity to ensure such acentre would be designed tomeet their needs

Funding for feasibility study on olderpeople’s support services obtainedSeptember 2004

Consultation undertaken with keystakeholders during October and November2004

Report on findings of feasibility studycirculated in February 2005

New PlymouthDistrictCouncilandNew PlymouthPositiveAgeing TrustandWesternInstitute ofTechnology atTaranaki

Positive Ageing centreof excellence –Economic LivingStandards researchproject

• Organisations andagencies in NewPlymouth receiveevidence-basedinformation and adviceto inform their practicesand services



in place”





for personal growth and

community participation

• Findings from questionnaireare disseminated tostakeholders• Research results used toidentify support needs of olderpeople in the district

The Economic Living Standards researchproject has been deferred





New PlymouthDistrictCouncilandNew PlymouthPositiveAgeing TrustandWesternInstitute ofTechnology atTaranaki

Positive Ageing Centreof Excellence –Retirement researchproject

• Older people in NewPlymouth are informedand prepared forretirement


affordable and

accessible health




in place”




• Findings of questionnairedisseminated to stakeholders• Outcome of research is usedto develop a retirementpreparation seminar series

Two questionnaire-based surveys onretirement issues undertaken with retiredolder people and people approachingretirement

Report on findings of surveys disseminatedthrough a Positive Ageing forum in June 2005

In partnership with the Western Instituteof Technology at Taranaki, planning hascommenced on a seminar series onretirement to be delivered in September 2005

SouthTaranakiDistrictCouncil

Housing for olderpeople

• South Taranaki DistrictCouncil’s housing forolder people is wellmaintained andappropriate to theneeds of older people inthe district


appropriate housing




in place”

• Older people’s housing isassessed and prioritiesestablished for reconfigurationand modification• Implementation of the four-year staged upgrade of theCouncil’s older people’shousing is commenced

Initial assessment of housing stockcompleted November 2004

High priority maintenance issues wereaddressed including replacement of roofingand floor coverings for houses occupied byolder people

Planning for new management model forolder persons’ housing commenced January2005





SouthTaranakiDistrictCouncil

Positive Ageingstrategy

• Current and futureneeds of older peopleare considered inCouncil planning andoperational processes


affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing




in place”

• The South Taranaki DistrictCouncil’s Positive Ageingstrategy takes intoconsideration the New ZealandPositive Ageing Strategyprinciples and is endorsed byCouncil and stakeholdergroups• The Council’s Positive Ageingstrategy is printed and widelyavailable throughout thedistrict

South Taranaki District Council’s positiveageing policy adopted by Council February2005

The Positive Ageing strategy distributed tokey stakeholders and older people’sorganisations March 2005

Taupo DistrictCouncil

Access to libraryservices

• Older people whocannot easily accesslibrary services areprovided with readingmaterial of their choice



in place”

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Increased numbers ofhousebound older peopleaccess library services

An increase in the number of olderhousebound people accessing libraryservices in their home was reported by thevolunteers, who are older people who helpprovide library services






Community safety • Older people feel safeand secure in theircommunities



in place”

• Crime rate in Taupo district isreduced• Reduction of graffiti andvandalism in the district• Taupo district is recognisedas a safe place to live

A security assessment, to address safetyconcerns of tenants, was completed on onepensioner unit complex, which represented80% of the total pensioner units

Free removal of graffiti on all propertieswithin two days of notification

Council property damaged by vandalismdealt with within three days

Funding provided by Crime Prevention UnitJanuary 2005 for Neighbourhood Supportgroups to be set up in Taupo, Turangi andMangakino with initial work in progress


Housing for olderpeople

• Older people are ableto access affordablerental accommodation


appropriate housing


• Report completed onaccommodation options forolder people

Research commenced on housing optionsfor older people December 2004

Housing forum held 12 May 2005


Positive Ageingreference group

• Older people areregularly consulted onissues of concern tothem

Goals 1–10:(see page 1)

• Older people participate inCouncil’s decision making• Council policy is informed byolder people’s views on theirissues of concern

Consultation with Age Concern to identifyolder people’s issues

Meetings held with older people followingresults of Community Outcomes consultation

Meeting held April 2005 with Grey Power,Night Owl and Neighbourhood Supportgroups to discuss security issues for olderpeople living in Council’s pensioner units





Taupo DistrictCouncilandAge Concern

Rates Postponementpolicy

• Older people are ableto remain in their ownhomes as long as theywish


appropriate housing




in place”

• Older people are fullyinformed about Council’s ratesand policies and receive a highlevel of assistance with theirapplication

Information on Rates Postponement policydistributed to all ratepayers in Taupoquarterly newsletter August 2004

Press releases provided for local media toreach the target group

Information on Rates Postponement policyincluded in Rates Newsletter to all ratepayers

ChristchurchCity Council

Housing provision andactivity services

• Provide appropriatehousing, and social andrecreationalopportunities for oldertenants


appropriate housing




in place”

• Annual performanceevaluation of housing servicesshows the services meet theneeds of older people

Residential housing units provided to olderpeople total 2,625

Review of services to tenants deferred to2005/2006 Action Plan

Review of activities programme forCouncil’s older tenants commenced March2005


Library and informationservices

• Older people accessliterature and internetservices

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Annual performanceevaluation shows more olderpeople use the services

Manager appointed August 2004 toimplement Lifelong Learning strategyincluding initiatives and support of libraryservices to older people

Older people’s community groupsinformed of services they can access

Community groups contacted by OutreachServices provided older people with accessto library services






Metropolitan Advisorfor older adults

• Review older people’spolicy and action plan

Goals 1–10:(see page 1)

• Council services areappropriate and meet theneeds of older residents

Metropolitan Advisor appointed inDecember 2004 to address the needs of olderpeople


Parks and WaterwaysAccess policy

• Improve olderpeople’s access to parksand open spaces

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Annual performanceevaluation shows older peoplehave access to parks and openspaces

Work in progress on upgrade of parks andaccess to waterways, including the AvonRiver


Physical activityprogrammes

• Older residents arephysically active



in place”

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Annual performanceassessment shows increasingnumbers of older people areinvolved in the programme

Weekly activity programmes facilitatedwith guidance from Community RecreationAdvisors network included:– seated exercises– five leisure clubs for social and recreational activities in local community centres– Walk and Talk programmes based at local libraries

Funding provided to community agenciesto facilitate programmes includedBishopdale Community Centre

ChristchurchCity CouncilandStay on YourFeetPartnership

Stay on Your Feetprogramme

• Reduced numbers ofolder people with fall-related injuries



in place”

• Older people have reducedfall injuries as a result of takingpart in the programme

Annual funding provided for Stay On YourFeet initiative to promote and implementsafety awareness programmes for olderpeople





New ZealandArtificial LimbBoard(Crown Entity)

Model Pathway of Carefor HospitalManagement ofAmputees (formerlyBest PracticeGuidelines)

• Older amputeesreceive high quality carein Canterbury hospitals


affordable and

accessible health




in place”

• Produce the Model Pathwayof Care for hospital-basedamputee management inCanterbury area• Model Pathway of Care isimplemented in the Canterburyarea

Draft interdisciplinary guidelinesintroduced to Christchurch Public Hospitaland Princess Margaret Hospital January 2005

Final report for interdisciplinary guidelinescompleted June 2005

Ministry ofPacific IslandAffairs

Consultation with olderPacific peoples

• Older Pacific peoplesare consulted andinformed aboutgovernment policy forolder New Zealanders


affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing





people

• Pacific communities receiveregular communicationthrough radio and newslettersand there is an increase inPacific people’s awareness ofpositive ageing issues• The Office for Senior Citizensis well supported by theMinistry of Pacific Island Affairsat fono and other policy forums

Articles on topics affecting older Pacificpeoples published by the Ministry inquarterly regional and national newsletters

Regional offices provided advice to districthealth boards, community groups and localcouncils on issues facing older Pacificpeoples

In August 2004 the Ministry, on behalf ofthe Office for Senior Citizens, facilitatedconsultation with the Wellington Communityreference group to discuss changes to theenduring power of attorney regulations






Pacific EconomicDevelopment

• Older Pacific peoples’participation in andcontribution to the NewZealand economy isincreased






Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Background paper includesrecommendations togovernment to improve Pacificpeoples’ participation in andcontribution to the NewZealand economy

Ministry’s Economic Development Reportproduced December 2004 highlighted thebarriers to participation in the workforce forPacific peoples, including older Pacificpeoples


Pacific “Linkage”intergenerationalinitiatives

• Older Pacific peopleshave opportunities toshare their culturalknowledge and wisdomwith younger people




people




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Pacific peoples’ Linkageintergenerational initiatives arepublished and widelydistributed

The Pacific Linkage intergenerationalinitiative has been deferred until the Ministryof Pacific Island Affairs can assess similarinitiatives and activities undertaken by othergovernment agencies






Pacific WorkforceDevelopment strategy

• Older Pacific peoplesare able to find the workthey want and continueworking as long as theywish






people




• Recommendations are madeto Cabinet to improveworkforce outcomes for Pacificpeoples

Work is in progress to provide the Ministerof Pacific Island Affairs with information oneffective initiatives relating to Pacificworkforce health


Strategies for Pacificpeoples

• Develop and monitorgovernment strategiesfor older Pacific peoples




affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing


• Pacific strategies aredeveloped and monitored

Strategies to improve outcomes for olderPacific peoples have been developed andmonitored, with regular consultation withother government agencies






Support for the PacificVolunteer CommunityCo-ordinators (VCCs)

• Provide informationand policy advice toOffice for Senior Citizenson the Pacificcomponent of VolunteerCommunity Co-ordinators programme




affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing


• Office for Senior Citizensreceived advice and support onPacific issues at VCC forum

Officials attended the VCC forum held bythe Office for Senior Citizens in November2004

New ZealandPoliceCommunitySupport

Adult ContinuingEducation –NeighbourhoodSupport or CommunityPatrol

• Older people are ableto improve their ownpersonal safety,security and confidencethrough participation inNeighbourhoodSupport or a CommunityPatrol



in place”

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Older people are able toimprove safety and securityskills by enrolling in trial adultcontinuing education (ACE)course• Older people have theopportunity to increase theirknowledge of NeighbourhoodSupport and CommunityPatrols by participating atnational conferences

Preparation for the implementation of ACEprogrammes completed April 2005

Neighbourhood Support conference heldSeptember 2004

National Community Patrol of New Zealandtraining seminar held May 2005





Ministry ofResearch,Science andTechnology

Wellbeing and ageing • Older New Zealandersare able to agepositively, are highlyvalued and recognisedas an integral part offamilies andcommunities

Goals 1–10(see page 1)

• Effects of the transition toolder age on older people andtheir families are identified andinform public policy

Funding to University of Waikato FamilyCentre Social Policy Research Unit for long-term research project on ageing and well-being included:– international literature review on ageing commenced July 2004– work commenced July 2004 on development of national survey of New Zealanders aged between 40–64 years and their interactions with older people– global network provided useful link for researchers on ageing

Office forSeniorCitizens,Ministry ofSocialDevelopment

Contribute to researchon ageing and ageingissues

• Older people’sinterests arerepresented on theboard of New ZealandInstitute for Research onAgeing (NZiRA)


• Office for Senior Citizenspromotes NZiRA as a keyinstitute for research on ageingin New Zealand• Positive feedback receivedabout the Tower Fellow’spresentation from participantsat interdepartmental forum

The work of NZiRA in promoting researchon ageing was supported by the Office forSenior Citizens through:– hosting a presentation to the Ministry of Social Development by Tower Fellow Dr Mary Davies on transitions in later life, in April 2005– a seminar at Victoria University of Wellington on ageing issues– setting up meetings for the Director of NZiRA to meet with relevant officials

Office forSenior CitizensandOlder People’sPolicy team,Ministry ofSocialDevelopment

Elder Abuse andNeglect PreventionServices

• Support Elder Abuseand Neglect PreventionServices



in place”

• Issues raised in review ofElder Abuse and NeglectPrevention Services areconsidered and policy optionsdeveloped to enhance servicedelivery

In conjunction with the Older People’sPolicy team, provided assistance for thetransfer of administration and funding ofElder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Servicesto Family and Community Services, Ministryof Social Development





Office forSenior Citizens

Interdepartmentalnetwork on policydevelopments affectingolder people

• Government officialsshare information anddiscuss policydevelopments affectingolder people


• Numbers of participantsattending the meetings areconsistent or increase• Work and IncomeSuperannuation casemanagers provide positivefeedback on effectiveness ofpolicy meetings

Work and Income Superannuation casemanagers attended five bi-monthlyinterdepartmental meetings

Positive feedback reported by casemanagers from policy forums


Intergenerationalinitiatives

• Intergenerationalinitiatives are in place inschools, communitiesand older people’sorganisations




• Feedback on the programmeshows more schools areinvolved in intergenerationalinitiatives

Flyer to schools about Greats and Grandsmonth included in Education Gazette August2004

Greats and Grands initiatives held October2004

A variety of activities including choir,speech, drama and dance were reported byschools October 2004

Office forSenior CitizensandOlder People’sPolicy team,Ministry ofSocialDevelopment

Misuse of enduringpowers of attorney

• Older people’s rightsand interests areprotected throughamending Part IX of theProtection of Personaland Property Rights Act1988



in place”

• Cabinet paper approved byMinister

Policy paper to Minister May 2005 Legislative amendments to Part IX of the

Protection of Personal and Property RightsAct 1988 will be sought in the second half of2005






New Zealand PositiveAgeing Strategy

• New Zealand PositiveAgeing Strategy informsgovernment policy


• New Zealand Positive AgeingStrategy action plan and reportare approved by Cabinet anddistributed to contributingdepartments and keystakeholders in public sector• Three new local governmentplans are negotiated andincluded in 2004/2005 ActionPlan• New Zealand Positive AgeingStrategy reviewed and Cabinetpaper with recommendationsto government

Positive Ageing Strategy Annual Report2003/2004 published and distributedNovember 2004

Positive Ageing Strategy Action Plan2004/2005 published and distributedDecember 2004

South Taranaki District Council, TaupoDistrict Council, and Christchurch City Councilincluded in 2004/2005 Action Plan

Review of New Zealand Positive AgeingStrategy completed June 2005 by NZiRA


Retirement Villages Act2003

• Financial andconsumer interests ofresidents and intendingresidents of retirementvillages are protected


appropriate housing


• Policy work giving effect toRetirement Villages Act 2003 iscompleted on time• Smooth transition ofresponsibility for RetirementVillages Act 2003 to theDepartment of Building andHousing

Led work on the regulations and code ofpractice for Retirement Villages Act 2003.Responsibility for the Retirement VillagesAct 2003 transferred to Department ofBuilding and Housing on 1 July 2005






Volunteer CommunityCo-ordinators (VCCs)

• Promote positiveageing in localcommunities• Provide opportunitiesfor older people toexpress their views







• VCCs are well supported byOffice for Senior Citizens topromote positive ageing intheir communities• Positive feedback receivedfrom VCCs on success of annualforum and the quality ofspeakers• VCCs and their nominatingorganisations report increasein awareness about positiveageing in their communities

VCC policy forum and workshop heldNovember 2004 with positive response fromVCCs

Profiles of VCCs featured in the Office forSenior Citizens newsletter

VCCs consulted communities on How will

you get around when you stop driving?

pamphlet Eight focus groups were organised by the

VCCs to advise the Older People’s Policy teamat the Ministry of Social Development on theinformation needs of older people, for theestablishment of an internet portal at theMinistry

Over 1,000 Positive Ageing Strategy actionplans and reports distributed by VCCs

14 VCCs have worked with officials toencourage local councils to be part of theNew Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy

Ministry ofSocialDevelopment

Living Standardsresearch programme2004/2005

• Monitor changes overtime in the distributionof living standards andin the incidence andstructure of materialhardship



The following reports arecompleted:• New Zealand Living

Standards 2004 reportindicating changes in NewZealand living standards anddistributions since 2000• Explanatory reporthighlighting key determinantsof variations in New Zealandliving standards• Descriptive report on Pacificpeoples living standards

The complexity of analysis and resourcesrequired to complete reports for the LivingStandards research programme hasextended the timeframe for the final reportuntil 2005/2006






Management of maturejob seekers

• Mature job seekers areable to find suitablework and can continuein employment for aslong as they wish




• Findings from Jobs Joltevaluation enhanceemployment initiatives formature job seekers

Work and Income administered initiativesunder the Jobs Jolt package to help maturejob seekers take advantage of growingemployment opportunities

Evaluation of Jobs Jolt package by theCentre for Social Research and Evaluationsuggests the package has resulted in a 3.9%decrease in the number of 55–59 year oldjob seekers receiving a benefit for the ninemonths ending 31 September 2004


New ZealandSuperannuationAmendment Bill

• Older people’s incomeis protected



• Bill is passed through all itsstages and enacted

New Zealand Superannuation andRetirement Income Amendment Act, passed14 April 2005, provides for a three-yearlyreview by the Retirement Commissioner onthe Government’s retirement income policy


Older People’s Policyteam

• Issues affecting olderpeople as they age areconsidered andappropriate policiesdeveloped


• Older People’s Policy teamactively engaged with Office forSenior Citizens and otherinterested agencies indevelopment of policiesrelated to ageing issues

Older People’s Policy team establishedNovember 2004 to contribute to policydevelopment for the 65+ population and toidentify appropriate policy responses to theageing population


Response to the 2003Periodic Report Groupreport

• Retirement incomeissues are considered,widely acknowledgedand discussed



• Response to Periodic ReportGroup report developed andapproved by Government

Government’s response to the report wasapproved and publicly announced 5 October2004






SAGES – older peopleas mentors services

• Recognise and use theskills and experienceolder people have tooffer and encourageolder people’sparticipation in thecommunity




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Older volunteers provide one-on-one mentoring to familiesand individuals in need, in upto six regions

Contracts have been negotiated with eightcommunity organisations in Northland, Bayof Plenty, Manawatu/Wanganui and Otagoregions to deliver SAGES mentoring services


Social SecurityAgreements withCyprus, Hungary,Croatia and Malta

• Older people in NewZealand and overseasare assured ofcontinuing access toentitlements in eithercountry



• Inter-country agreements onentitlements to benefits areconcluded, signed andimplemented

Progress has commenced on reciprocalsocial security agreements with Cyprus,Hungary, Croatia and Malta

Work andIncomeRegionalOffices– AucklandMetro

Enhancing staffcapacity

• Older people in theAuckland region benefitfrom consistentlyimproved services









• Staff have skills andknowledge to assist olderpeople with information andadvice• Consistency of practices andprocesses improves service toolder people in the region

In November 2004 the national trainingprogramme was piloted in Auckland for allNew Zealand Superannuation case managersinvolving services for older people and therole of Work and Income staff for workingwith older people

Two regional coaches appointed to focuson consistency of New ZealandSuperannuation entitlements

Three regional meetings held for all Supersites to discuss measures to implement ‘bestpractice’





Work andIncome– AucklandMetro

Fall Preventionprogramme

• Older people are safefrom injuries in theirown homes



in place”

• Increasing numbers of olderpeople are safe in their homes• Increasing numbers of olderpeople are aware of agenciesin the community who canassist them

Three Kings office met monthly with ACCstaff to discuss costs associated with theDisability Allowance for older clientsattending the Fall Prevention programme


Information to otherethnic communities

• Provide moreinformation andimprove service for thisgroup of people






people

• Regional superannuationportfolio managers identify andaddress issues for migrantpopulation• Services are responsive to theneeds of ethnic communities

Due to changes in priority this project hasbeen deferred to the 2005/2006 Action Plan


Information to olderPacific peoples

• Older Pacific peoplesaccess information andare better informed




people

• Uptake of supplementaryassistance increased• Decrease in “one off”assistance through specialneeds grant or benefit advancesfor older Pacific peoples

Due to resource constraints this projecthas been deferred to the 2005/2006 ActionPlan


Service delivery tosenior clients

• Older people haveeasy access toinformation andexperience improvedservices



in place”



not disadvantaged


• Older clients in remote andrural areas have improvedaccess to services• Older clients report increasedinformation provided througholder people’s organisations

Approximately 50 community meetingsand seminars held in local communities suchas rest homes, and RSAs

Panmure office provided weekly servicesto older clients at St Heliers, Glen Innes andMt Wellington libraries, and Orakei RSA





Work andIncome– Bay of Plenty

Community liaison witholder people’sorganisations

• Older people haveaccess to information onentitlements




affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing


• Information on changes toentitlements are provided andaccess to information isimproved

Monthly meetings commenced February2005 at Rotorua Parksyde Older People’sCommunity Centre provided information on:– elder abuse– enduring power of attorney– Community Services Card– Disability Allowance– residential care– budget advice


Marae services andPacific peoples’services

• Older Ma-ori andPacific peoples areprovided with a qualityservice in theircommunities




appropriate housing




in place”

• Positive feedback from olderMa-ori, older Pacific peoplesand older people from otherethnic groups shows increasein number and quality ofservices provided in homes andin communities

Positive feedback was received followingtwo marae visits for older Ma-ori on servicesand the Disability Allowance in TaurangaOctober 2004 and April 2005 with increasednumbers of older Ma-ori now visitingTauranga Super Centre

Tokoroa Work and Income staff attendedPacific Island church meeting to discusssupplementary income, and New ZealandSuperannuation portability for older Pacificpeoples who wish to live in the PacificIslands. Older Pacific peoples are now visitingTokoroa Work and Income office forinformation






Rural home visits • Older clients in ruralareas receiveinformation onentitlements andservices





not disadvantaged


• Clients receive informationand are able to access correctentitlements

Work and Income staff, in conjunction withSupport Net and the local organisation ofAlzheimers New Zealand Inc, presentedinformation on health and disabilityentitlements for older people in ruralcommunities at Kaharoa November 2004

Work andIncome – Bayof Plenty

Transport options forolder people

• Older clients haveaccess to suitabletransport options






• Older clients in Bay of Plentyhave better access to suitabletransport options

Work and Income represented at OlderPeople’s Support Services committee whichintroduced City Ride bus services to providemore frequent services on smaller buses ata competitive rate from September 2004





Work andIncome– Canterbury

Community liaison • Work in partnershipwith key organisationsto improve services toolder people



in place”

• Clients receive better services• Evaluation shows 95% clientsatisfaction rating

Staff participated in 18 communitymeetings to provide information on servicesand benefit entitlements available to olderpeople. These included:– Making a Difference course held with local organisation of Alzheimers New Zealand Inc October 2004 and February 2005– Probus Cashmere November 2004 and Probus Cracroft May 2005– Grey Power October 2004– Foundation for the Blind April 2005

Work and Income staff attendedtwo-monthly forums with other agenciessuch as Age Concern and Pegasus HealthGroup to identify needs of older people

Older people 70 years and over identifiedas requiring additional heating were providedwith warmer clothing, home insulation,blankets and safe electric blankets

Weekly visits to Princess Margaret Hospitalprovided information to older people andtheir families about their entitlements oncethey are discharged from hospital

Quarterly working group meetings, heldwith Work and Income staff, older people,and Christchurch City Council, identifiedareas where assistance could be provided,such as improved library services which aremore responsive to older peoples’ needs,and making sure different ethnic groups werereceiving their entitlements






Heartland and outreachservices

• Older clients haveaccess to information onentitlements andservices



in place”



not disadvantaged


• Services are more accessible• More older clients receivecomprehensive services

Weekly services provided to older clientsin Hornby Heartland’s office

Outreach services extended to ruralcommunities


Information to olderMäori and other ethnicgroups

• Older Mäori clientshave access toinformation andentitlements




people

• Older people from differentethnic groups are wellinformed about their full andcorrect entitlements• Increase in the uptake ofethnic clients receivingsupplementary assistance

Hui held at Nga Hui e Wha August 2004and Rapaki October 2004 providedinformation to older Mäori on theirentitlements

Pacific Island fono held in ChristchurchOctober 2004 provided information to olderPacific peoples on their entitlements

Meeting held in Christchurch in April 2005to encourage older refugees and migrantpeople to apply for supplementary assistance


Seminar for peopleclose to entitlement toNew ZealandSuperannuation

• Provide older peoplewith good informationand advice about theirentitlements to NewZealand Superannuationand supplementaryassistance



in place”

• Survey indicates 95% ofclients are satisfied with theinformation provided• Clients are better informedabout provisions and servicesthat enable them to age inplace

Seminars held February and April 2005provided information on New ZealandSuperannuation to people approaching 65years





Work andIncome– Central

Communityinvolvement

• Older clientsparticipate in localcommunity activities

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Older clients are wellinformed about activities inlocal communities

Keeping Independent Now seminars heldOctober 2004 in Eketahuna and Featherstonpromoted the Disability Allowance

Six meetings held October 2004 toFebruary 2005 with Community Women’sInstitute groups in Tararua district promotedthe Disability Allowance, Living Alonepayment, Special Need grants and advances


Facilitation meetings • Older clients receiveimproved services fromlocal organisations



in place”

• Meetings between localorganisations and Work andIncome result in improvedservices to older people acrossagencies

Staff attended two-monthly meetings co-ordinated by Wairarapa District Health Boardfor the Older Persons’ advisory groupaddressing transport issues, Elder Net andelder abuse

Staff attended two-monthly forums withlocal groups and agencies organised by theTararua District Council to discuss servicesfor older people included developing a localHealth Services Directory for Tararua districtsuperannuitants

Staff attended two-monthly forums co-ordinated by the Kapiti Coast District Counciland discussed the positive ageing strategiesin the Kapiti community

Meeting held January 2005 withGrandparents as Parents group in PalmerstonNorth discussed eligibility for UnsupportedChilds Benefit

Local and national office staff and PublicTrust in Palmerston North discussed changesto the Residential Care Subsidy April 2005

Palmerston North City Council and Workand Income staff discussed strategies toaddress issues that affect older people in thecommunity May 2005






Supplementaryassistance

• Older clients are fullyinformed and receivingtheir full entitlements



• Monthly reports indicate anincreased uptake of additionalbenefits

The number of older people accessing theDisability Allowance and AccommodationSupplement rose by 4.3%

Work andIncome– East Coast

Case manager training • Staff are trained tomeet the needs of olderclients



• Training workshops aredesigned to identify ways towork positively with olderpeople

Case managers discussed information andissues of concern for older people at stafftraining forum April 2005


Client outreach services • Improve older clients’access to services inrural areas



not disadvantaged


• Number of people who attendmonthly outreach serviceindicates high level ofcommunity support

Fortnightly services held by Wairoa servicecentre staff on information available to olderpeople in Tuai

Weekly clinics provided by Kaiti/Ruatoriaservice centre staff in Te Araroa and three-weekly services at Tokomaru Bay showedgreater numbers of older people accessinginformation on entitlements


Health awarenesstraining for staff

• East Coast staffreceive training on olderpeople’s health issues


affordable and

accessible health


• Relationships establishedwith volunteer organisationsand training provided for staff

New Zealand Superannuation staff andSpecial Benefit/Invalids Benefit staffattended two forums to share information onolder people’s health issues August 2004and June 2005


Liaison with ElderAbuse and NeglectPrevention ServicesCo-ordinator

• East Coast staff haveknowledge of elderabuse and neglectprevention issues andthe service available toolder people



in place”

• Good liaison between staffand Elder Abuse and NeglectPrevention Services Co-ordinator• Staff receive training on elderabuse issues and know aboutelder abuse and neglectprevention services

Time constraints have resulted in thisproject being deferred until the second halfof 2005






Low-cost housing • Older clients are ableto access affordable andappropriate housingoptions


appropriate housing




not disadvantaged


• Older people report improvedhousing options available tothem in rural areas of EastCoast

Initial discussions held with Housing NewZealand Corporation resulted in the projectbeing deferred until second half of 2005


Meetings in familiarsurroundings

• Older clients whocannot access their localoffice have access toservices in their ownhome



• Improved services to olderclients in their own homes

Work commenced in November 2004 on aprogramme involving visits by Work andIncome staff to older people in their homes,or in a place of their choosing, to ensure thatolder people in Wairoa received their correctentitlements


Memorandum ofUnderstanding

• Older people haveaccess to appropriatehousing and health careservices




affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing


• Memorandum ofUnderstanding signed betweenWork and Income East Coastand local housing authorities,hospitals and generalpractitioners

Initial work commenced November 2004on Memorandum of Understanding betweenWork and Income East Coast, local housingauthorities, and health agencies






Pacific Wave/Fono • Mature Pacific peoplesare able to accessprogrammes which helpthem into paid or unpaidwork or training




people

• Programme is helping olderPacific peoples to attain paidor unpaid work or training theywant

Time constraints have resulted in thisproject being deferred until the second halfof 2005


Safety awarenessprogrammes for theolder person

• Older people are safeand secure in theirhomes



in place”

• Education and safetyprogrammes in place• Fire alarms placed andworking correctly in more olderpeople’s homes

In conjunction with the Safer CommunitiesCouncil, staff from Wairoa participated in aprogramme for older people to provide themwith information on safety in the home

Work andIncome– Nelson

Community expos • Older clients have abetter quality of lifethrough greaterawareness of servicesfor them in thecommunity





in place”




people

• Older clients are wellinformed about servicesavailable to them in thecommunity

Expo held in Blenheim March 2005attracted approximately 80 exhibitors and2,000 people

Expo planned for Nelson and Motueka hasbeen deferred until August and October 2005






One Stop Shop • Staff are enabled toprovide quality servicesto older clients





in place”




people

• Staff are successfullyintegrated into Stoke office• Clients and communityagencies have goodinformation about services

Work is in development stage to locatesuitable premises to accommodate all thefacilities in one building – the One Stop Shop


Operation Mail OutWestport

• Older people inWestport receive theirfull entitlements tosupplementaryassistance



• Supplementary benefitnumbers for older clientsincrease and entitlements arefull and correct

Older people in Westport were informed oftheir entitlement to supplementary benefitsand this resulted in an increase inapplications


Rural services • Older people in ruralNelson, West Coast andMarlborough areas haveincreased quality of lifebecause they receivetheir full entitlements



not disadvantaged


• More older rural clients areusing personal services

Number of older people accessing Workand Income services increased in thefollowing areas:– daily services available in Kaikoura– Superannuation staff provide weekly service to Hokitika Heartland’s office– fortnightly service provided to Takaka and Reefton from visiting staff– South Westland site visited six-monthly with information on available benefits also provided in local papers– Off-site service provided to Seddon/Havelock June 2005





Work andIncome– Northland

Access to Work andIncome services

• Older people haveaccess to information onentitlements and safetyissues





in place”



not disadvantaged


• Older people who attendedKIN seminars are better awareof safety and security issues• Older people in Northlandincluding older Mäori haveimproved access to and qualityof services provided for olderpeople• Older people receive full andcorrect entitlements as shownin the Accuracy ReportingProgramme (ARP) statistics

Five Keeping Independent Now (KIN)meetings by Whangarei Super Clinic providedinformation on entitlements for older people

A KIN meeting held at Mokau Maraeprovided information on entitlements forolder Mäori clients December 2004

Health Expo for older Mäori clients held inWhangarei November 2004

Superannuation staff provided a weeklyservice to discuss information to older clientsat Onerahi and Opononi

Mobile service provided to Dargavilleclients in their home or hospital


Development of casemanager services

• Older people have theinformation they needabout opportunities toparticipate in theircommunities




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Good information oncommunity services for olderpeople is available in Work andIncome office• Mentoring programmes arepromoted and skills andexperience of older people areutilised• More older people participatein their communities

Resource folder provided containinginformation on agencies and servicesavailable for older people in the community

Liaison established between casemanagers and work brokers to enable olderpeople to mentor unemployed youth






Health services • Better healthoutcomes for olderpeople


affordable and

accessible health




not disadvantaged


• Improved co-ordination ofservices across agencies leadsto better services for olderpeople

Work and Income and ACC worked togetherto present exercises such as Tai Chi and backstrengthening for fall prevention, to olderACC clients

Work and Income, in conjunction withHousing New Zealand Corporation,established a Rural Housing Co-ordinator to:– liaise with community doctors and nurses to refer older clients to health services– provide information on income entitlements– identify housing requirements


Housing • Older people are ableto access appropriateand affordable housingoptions


appropriate housing




not disadvantaged


• Better sustainable housingfor older people• Improved co-ordination ofservices across agencies

Work and Income’s Rural Housing Co-ordinator referred older people to SuperCentre Work and Income services forinformation and advice

Older people living in sub-standardconditions identified for retrofit housing andhousing solutions

Working relationship established withMasonic Trust to provide information onpensioner flats, and refer older people toWork and Income for assessment of correctentitlement of services






Interagency andcommunitycollaboration

• Older people inNorthland are able toaccess services andinformation in areaswhere they live






not disadvantaged





• More older people living inrural areas have access toservices• Strong working partnershipsamong agencies result inimproved co-ordination ofservices to older people

Heartland services held in Kaitaia, Kaikoheand Dargaville provided information onissues affecting older people


Residential SubsidyUnit

• Older people accessthe information theyneed to improve theirwellbeing




appropriate housing


• Partnerships with healthofficials and service providersare strengthened and servicesfor older clients are improved• Accuracy ReportingProgramme statistics show fulland correct entitlementreceived by older clients

Staff provided information on the eligibilitycriteria for the Residential Care Subsidy andhow to apply for the subsidy to communityagencies

Two meetings held with District HealthBoard Disability Committee provided generalinformation on resources for clients withdisabilities


Staff training anddevelopment

• New ZealandSuperannuation CaseManagers are trained towork well with olderpeople






• New Zealand Superannuationcase managers demonstratebest practice• Accuracy ReportingProgramme statistics showolder people receive full andcorrect entitlements• Staff are well informed aboutolder people’s issues

One Northland meeting, held in November2004, for New Zealand Superannuationteams on information sharing, and issuesaffecting older people included the NewZealand Positive Ageing Strategy





Work andIncome– Southern

Disability Allowance • Older people arereceiving their fullentitlements



• More older clients haveaccess to Disability Allowance

Review commenced to assess eligibility ofsupplementary entitlements for older clientswith a Community Services Card in Dunedin,Timaru and Invercargill


Keeping IndependentNow (KIN) seminars

• Older clients in thecommunity have accessto information services





in place”

• More older people are wellinformed about servicesavailable to them to enablethem to remain safely in theirown homes

Timaru and Oamaru offices, withcommunity groups, held four KeepingIndependent Now (KIN) meetings to informolder people about security in the home


Services to Mäoricommunities

• Older Mäori havegreater access to Workand Income services






people

• More older Mäori living inrural areas have access toservices

Staff held meetings on marae in Gore andTemuka and provided information on servicesto older Mäori


Services to ruralcommunities

• Older clients living inrural areas have greateraccess to the services ofWork and Income





not disadvantaged


• More older people living inrural areas have access toservices

Information on Work and Income servicesfor older people was provided:– weekly to Geraldine, Farlie and Waimate– fortnightly to Palmerston and Waikouaiti





Work andIncome– Taranaki,Wanganui andKing Country

Community liaison role • Older clients are awareof income supportentitlements and othersupport services in thecommunity





in place”

• Clients have betterknowledge of theirentitlements and othercommunity services• Clients receive home visitingservices on request• Client satisfaction rating forhome visiting service is 95%

34 community presentations held topromote awareness of Work and Incomeservices to senior interest groups includedkaumätua, Grey Power, Age Concern, Probus,and Alzheimers New Zealand

Information on entitlements and servicesto older clients provided in clients’ homes,on request

Monthly meetings and quarterly forumsheld with New Plymouth Positive AgeingTrust working group


Healthy Homes workinggroup

• Older clients haveenergy-efficient healthyhomes


affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing


• Low-income older clients’homes are included in targetgroup for this project

Working Group which includedstakeholders – PHO Pinnacle, Ministry ofSocial Development, Housing New ZealandCorporation, local councils, and EECA –identified older people on low incomes whohave benefited from measures to provideenergy efficient homes

Strategy developed to provide all Taranakihouseholders with warm and healthy homesby 2014


Literacy researchproject

• Older clientsparticipate in literacyassessment

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Mature job seeker clientsreceive literacy assessments

Screening and assessment tools on literacydesigned and delivered by literacy specialistswith support from Ministry of SocialDevelopment

300 Work and Income clients participatedin the screening process

275 additional clients receivedcomprehensive individual assessments byliteracy professionals






Mature employmentservices

• Mature jobseekers arewell prepared foremployment and haveaccess to appropriatepaid employmentopportunities




• Mature job seeker clientsreceive specialist employmentservices and find jobs

430 job seeker clients aged 45 to 64 yearsgained full time work for the year endingMarch 2005 resulting in a 24% reduction inunemployment benefits for this age group


Positive Ageing forum • Older clients areinformed about extrafinancial help available





in place”

• Older clients receiveinformation on additionalfinancial help

Work and Income hosted a Positive Ageingforum in New Plymouth November 2004

Work andIncome– Waikato

Consistent service tosuperannuation clients

• Superannuitant clientsreceive high qualityservice



• Superannuitants receivequality service from frontlinestaff• Client satisfaction meets orexceeds required servicestandard

Data from client satisfaction surveyshowed an average of 95% satisfaction ratewith Work and Income services for the yearto June 2005






Information brochurefor surviving spouses ofdeceasedsuperannuitants

• Surviving spouses ofdeceasedsuperannuitants arebetter informed aboutcommunity services,facilities and assistanceavailable through Workand Income





in place”




• Older clients are providedwith helpful information toassist them

All older clients advised in writing of thefull range of entitlements available followingdeath of a spouse

Off-site services held every third week atRaglan provided information on all Work andIncome services


Information services toolder MäoriHuntlyNgaruawahia

• Older Mäori are wellinformed and havebetter access to services






people



not disadvantaged


• Older Mäori in both urban andrural areas report increasedunderstanding of andsatisfaction with Work andIncome services

Over 250 Superannuation clients attendedsessions provided by the Frankton DinsdaleRauawaawa Charitable Trust KaumätuaServices. The services covered includedcomputer programmes and health clinics

Superannuation staff provided informationto older people at the Kaumätua Expo heldMarch 2005

Thames staff provided information onservices and entitlements to older Mäori atTe Korowai Hauora O Hauraki Health“Promotion Day for the Elderly” held in June2005






Liaison with localorganisations workingwith older people

• Older clients arereferred to appropriateservices


affordable and

accessible health



appropriate housing


Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Meetings are attendedregularly by high percentage ofrepresentatives of invitedgroups• Appropriate referrals resultfrom community organisationsunderstanding each other’sprocesses, aims andcapabilities

Six network meetings organised by theRauawaawa Trust for heath providers had80% attendance

In October 2004 the Ministry of SocialDevelopment, Waikato District Health Boardand Housing New Zealand Corporationsigned a Memorandum of Understanding toaddress housing and health needs. This hasresulted in clients accessing appropriatehousing


Pre-superannuationinformationdissemination

• People approachingage 65 are betterinformed about NewZealandSuperannuation andsupplementary benefits





in place”

• Clients receive full and correctentitlement at the time they aregranted New ZealandSuperannuation• Client satisfaction meets orexceeds required servicestandard• Feedback shows clientsfound seminars useful

Development of specific informationpackage for pre-superannuitants to becommenced June 2005

Work andIncome– Wellington

Relationships withhealth services

• Older clients are wellinformed aboutassistance available tohelp meet medical costs


affordable and

accessible health


• Clients benefit frominformation sharing betweenWork and Income and localhealth services includingmedical centres and districthealth boards

Relationship with Sigma, a provider ofassessment services for older people, toprovide information on entitlements






Relationships withhousing agencies

• Older clients are wellinformed aboutsupplementaryassistance


appropriate housing


• Clients benefit frominformation sharing betweenWork and Income and localhousing agencies includingrest homes

Partnership established with Housing NewZealand Corporation enabled betterinformation to be provided to older peopleon access to housing and additionalassistance provided by Work and Income


Relationships withspecialist services

• Staff are trained tomeet the needs of olderclients of differentethnic groups






people

• Use multilingual line toensure clients receive correctinformation

Staff training sessions providedinformation to staff on the appropriateassistance to offer older clients of differingethnic backgrounds to access services


Staff training • Staff are trained tomeet the needs of olderclients






• Training improves staffunderstanding of older clientsin Wellington region• Staff provide full and correctinformation and entitlementsto older clients in the firstinstance

Ongoing training for staff coveredmeasures to assist older people to receivecorrect entitlements






Working relationships • Older clients have theopportunity to remain inemployment andundertake volunteeropportunities







• Clients are actively beingprofiled by work brokers toemployment opportunities• Older clients are aware ofcourses designed specificallyfor them in their communities• Clients are aware ofopportunities to participate intheir communities such asVolunteer Wellington andSuper Grans

A good working relationship maintainedwith local Super Grans groups to assist themto provide information on entitlements tosuperannuitants

Sport andRecreationNew Zealand(SPARC)

Advocacy and sectoreffectiveness

• Sport and recreationservice planning anddevelopment considersolder people’s needs



in place”




• The national policyframework for physical activityand sport, recognises needs ofolder people

Progress on the national policy frameworkfor physical activity and sport is continuing

Review of SPARC’s strategic vision for 2006onwards commenced May 2005

Sport andRecreationNew Zealand

New Zealand ThinksafeMasters Games

• Older New Zealandershave opportunities to beactive in a social andcompetitive sportsenvironment




• Sport and Recreation NewZealand provides financialsupport for Push Playcomponent of ACC NewZealand Thinksafe MastersGames

ACC New Zealand Thinksafe MastersGames held in Wanganui February 2005included 880 participants aged 65 years andolder





State ServicesCommission

Human Resources –Work-life Balanceproject

• Older people in thepublic service have thechoice to continue theirworking life in ways thatsuit them as they age




• Information is available togovernment departments onelimination of ageism andpromotion of flexible workpractices

Resource document Work-Life Balance: a

resource for the State Services launched April2005, provides measures to help retainemployees, including older workers, toremain in the workforce

Work-Life Balance: a resource for the State

Services and supplementary material madeavailable online atwww.ssc.govt.nz/worklifebalance

State ServicesCommission

State Sector RetirementSavings Scheme(SSRSS)

• Older workers havethe opportunity tocontribute to theirretirement savings



• Percentage of eligibleemployees who join SSRSSscheme increased

Launch of SSRSS held 1 July 2004 with anuptake of 50% in Public Service departmentsfor those aged 45 or over including:– 38% of eligible employees 60–64 years– 26% of eligible employees 65–69 years– 20% of eligible employees 70–74 years

Te Puni Kökiri Capacity building • Build theinfrastructure of Mäoricommunities to lay thefoundations for cultural,economic and socialdevelopment




people







• Ministry receives quarterlyreports on detailedachievements made ormilestones reached• Regional meetings heldregularly and strongerrelationships with Mäorireported

Older Mäori benefited from fundingprovided to 528 capacity building projectsfor iwi, hapu-, and whänau. Capacity buildingseeks to build the capacity of Mäoricollectives to achieve their own objectives

Meetings held between regional directorsand government agencies addressed Mäoricapacity building





Te Puni Kökiri Governance andappointments

• Facilitate effectiveMäori participation onboards and committees




people




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Six-monthly reporting showsappropriate representation ofMäori appointed to boards andcommittees

Advice provided to the Office for SeniorCitizens resulted in the appointment ofkaumätua to the Minister’s Advisory Councilfor Senior Citizens

Te Puni Kökiri Special Housing ActionZones

• Resolve serioushousing needs within adesignated area


appropriate housing




in place”

• Monitoring and quarterlyreports show progress andidentify achievements forMäori communities

Two Special Housing Action Zone projectsin the Far North and Eastern Bay of Plenty tomeet the housing needs of older Mäori, weredeveloped during the year





Te Puni Kökiri Whänau development • Recognise the specialand unique role ofelders in whänaudevelopment




people

Goal 8 People of all ages have



Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• A broad national strategy forwhänau developed

Whänau development initiativescommenced April 2005 to inform ongoingwhänau-based development and policies

Ministry ofTransport

Review of Older DriverLicensing policy

• Older people’s keystakeholder groupshave input into thepolicy framework andoperational aspects ofolder driver licensingpolicy




• Minister is provided withrobust advice on options forfuture of older driver re-licensing• Advice addresses key NewZealand Transport Strategyobjectives to improve accessand mobility and improvingsafety and security

Stakeholder Consultative Group identifiedpolicy options for Review of Older DriverLicensing Policy and presentedrecommendations to Ministers in June 2005

One recommendation proposed an olderdriver licensing system without mandatoryage-based on-road testing





Ministry ofTransportandTransfundNew Zealand

Total Mobility review • Older people are ableto access suitable publictransport options




• Review will identify policyoptions for improving TotalMobility scheme

Consultation with stakeholders completedMay 2005

Interim report on progress due to MinisterAugust 2005


Health Screen forDrivers project

• Older people will bemedically fit to drive


affordable and

accessible health





• GPs have access to avoluntary health screen fordrivers assessment tool thatallows them to better assessmedical fitness to drive

Further work on voluntary health screenfor drivers to be decided in second half of2005 following final report on Older DriverLicensing Policy


Older People andTransport – alternativemobility options project

• Improve access totransport for olderpeople






in place”

• Older People and Transportscoping paper readily availableto the public

Scoping paper Older People and Transportreleased to public September 2004 andpublished on Ministry websitehttp://www.transport.govt.nz/business/land/land-transport/older-licence-qa.php





Veterans'Affairs NewZealand

Commemorations • The communitycontinues to be awareof the contributionmade by war veterans toNew Zealand as a nation




Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Increased participation incommemorative activities byveterans• Public awareness of roleplayed by veterans• Veterans’ experiences areacknowledged by theircommunities

Funding provided for veterans to attendcommemorations of battles or events thatthey were involved in and to assist veteransgroups to hold reunions

Funding provided for assistance withredevelopment of local memorials that actas a focal point for recognition of veterans inthe community

Educational resource material developedfor secondary schools to support PrimeMinister’s essay competition to selectstudents to accompany veteran party to thecommemorations at Gallipoli in April 2005

Veterans’Affairs NewZealand

Development of servicedelivery

• Veterans can accessservices to meet theirneeds



in place”

Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Veterans feel moreempowered to takeresponsibility for managingtheir quality of life• Maximise veterans’ use ofavailable community servicesand supports

Case management services have beenestablished and have delivered community-based services focused on the individualneeds of 2,221 veterans and their families

Case management service providedservices and supports focused on the healthand wellbeing needs of veterans andconcerns the veterans identified as impactingon their quality of life

Through case management services,veterans are empowered by being involvedin identifying and monitoring servicesprovided for them





Ministry ofWomen’sAffairs

Implementation of thefive-year Action Plan forNew Zealand Women

• Retirement savingsand other issuesrelevant to older womenare considered in policydevelopment• Women are betterinformed about savingfor retirement



Goal 10:Increasing

opportunities for

personal growth and

community

participation

• Ministry of Women’s Affairsinput leads to better informeddecision making on policies forolder women

Contributed towards interagency workdeveloping a work-based savings scheme toincrease women’s retirement savings

Assisted the Retirement Commission toprovide information for women about savingfor retirement

In collaboration with Ministry of SocialDevelopment and other governmentagencies, work commenced on improvingresearch and policy advice to improveoutcomes for women in retirement

Focus groups held with women to informpolicy development on women saving forretirement October 2004

In October 2004 co-hosted breakfast forumin partnership with the RetirementCommission for key women’s organisationsto promote information for women via theSorted website


POSITIVE AGEING GOALS ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2004/2005

1. Secure and adequate incomefor older people

• Ministry of Social Development – The New Zealand Superannuation and Retirement Income Amendment Act 2005 provides for a three-yearly reviewby the Retirement Commissioner of Government’s retirement income policy• Work and Income regions, Ministry of Social Development – Increasing numbers of older clients accessing services• State Services Commission – Launch of State Sector Retirement Savings Scheme (SSRSS) with one third of 60 years plus eligible public serviceemployees taking up the scheme

2. Equitable, timely, affordableand accessible health services forolder people

• Ministry of Health – Audit Work Book for services for older people with dementia published in April 2005• Ministry of Health – Guideline for Specialist Health Services for Older People published September 2004• Ministry of Health – Social Security (Long Term Residential Care) Amendment Act passed December 2004, into force July 2005• New Zealand Artificial Limb Board – Guidelines are in place in Christchurch Public and Princess Margaret Hospitals to ensure that older amputeesreceive high quality post-operative care following amputations• Work and Income regions, Ministry of Social Development – Community-based forums and meetings held to share information on older people’shealth issues and establish relationships with health care providers

3. Affordable and appropriatehousing options for older people

• Housing New Zealand Corporation – Modernisation and energy efficiency retrofits for older tenants• Department of Internal Affairs – enhancements to the thresholds for the rates rebate scheme announced April 2005 to become effective from 1 July 2006• Work and Income Taranaki, Ministry of Social Development, Pinnacle PHO, Housing New Zealand and local councils – Older people on low incomesidentified for measures to achieve energy efficient homes

4. Affordable and accessibletransport options for older people

• Ministry of Transport – Review of Older Driver Licensing Policy report completed June 2005. One recommendation proposed an older driver licensingsystem without mandatory age-based on-road testing• Land Transport New Zealand (formerly Land Transport Safety Authority) – changes including the removal of the automatic-only licence, and thesix-monthly renewal of licence prior to driver licence expiring approved by Minister for Transport Safety to be included in the Land Transport (DriverLicensing) Amendment Rule 2005• Ministry of Transport – Consultation with stakeholders completed for Total Mobility scheme. Interim report to Minister

5. Older people feel safe andsecure and can “age in place”

• Accident Compensation Corporation – Evaluation completed and hip protectors made available to residents in 30 new rest homes• Ministry of Health – Support provided to district health boards on the development of an integrated continuum of care for older people as part ofthe Health of Older People strategy• Office for Senior Citizens; Older People’s Policy team; and Family and Community Services, Ministry of Social Development – Worked togetherto support the transfer of funding of Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services from Child, Youth and Family Services to Family and CommunityServices, Ministry of Social Development• Work and Income regions, Ministry of Social Development – Meetings, visits and seminars organised and staff forums held, to provide informationand advice for older people• Veterans’ Affairs – Established a case management service to co-ordinate delivery of community-based services for 2,221 veterans and their families


KEY ACHIEVEMENTS AND ACTIONS FOR THE TEN POSITIVE AGEING STRATEGY GOALS

POSITIVE AGEING GOALS ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2004/2005


6. A range of culturallyappropriate services allowschoices for older people

• Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs – Articles on issues affecting older Pacific peoples published in the Ministry’s quarterly newsletters• Work and Income, Canterbury region, Ministry of Social Development – Hui held to provide information to older Ma-ori on their entitlements andFono held for older Pacific peoples• Te Puni Ko-kiri – Older Ma-ori have benefited from 528 capacity building projects for iwi, hapu- and wha-nau

7. Older people living in ruralcommunities are notdisadvantaged when accessingservices

• Department of Internal Affairs – Community Organisation Grants Scheme (COGS) grants to organisations that support older people including thosein rural communities• Work and Income, Bay of Plenty region, Ministry of Social Development – Information on health and disability entitlements for older people in ruralcommunities• Work and Income, Northland region, Ministry of Social Development – in conjunction with Housing New Zealand Corporation, established a RuralHousing Co-ordinator and referrals to Super Centre services

8. People of all ages have positiveattitudes to ageing and olderpeople

• Ministry for Culture and Heritage – New Zealand’s war oral history programme From Memory collecting oral histories of New Zealand war veteransis available at the Alexander Turnbull Library’s oral history archives, and a website launched May 2005• Department of Labour – Diversity Index 2004 on diversity of New Zealand workplaces and practices published October• Sport and Recreation New Zealand – ACC Thinksafe Masters Games held in Wanganui February 2005 involved 73 events• Work and Income, Auckland Metro, Ministry of Social Development – National training programme piloted for all New Zealand Superannuationcase managers

9. Elimination of ageism and thepromotion of flexible work options

• Archives New Zealand – Work, Life and Family/Whänau policy including options for phased retirement and flexible hours for staff with olderdependents, promoted to staff May 2005• Inland Revenue Department – Review of Safety and Wellbeing Strategy on safety and wellness initiatives to support older workers• Department of Labour with the EEO Trust – 45,000 copies of PeoplePower – Successful Diversity at Work distributed to employers. Employmentstrategies for older workers advocated• State Services Commission – Work-Life Balance: A Resource for the State Services launched April 2005 provides measures to help retain employees,including older workers, to remain in the workforce

10. Increasing opportunities forpersonal growth and communityparticipation

• New Plymouth District Council and New Plymouth Positive Ageing Trust – The New Plymouth Positive Ageing Trust was launched in April 2005 toprovide a forum where older people can participate in planning services and promoting positive ageing issues, both as an independent body, and inconjunction with the New Plymouth District Council• Christchurch City Council – Manager appointed to implement Lifelong Learning strategy, a service which provides initiatives and support to libraryservices for older people• Ministry of Social Development – SAGES, a programme where older people mentor younger people, has contracts with eight community organisationsto deliver mentoring services in Northland, Bay of Plenty, Manawatu/Wanganui and Otago regions

The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy...The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy Annual Report 2004/2005 was published in August 2005 by the Office for Senior Citizens, Ministry

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