Celebrating NZ’s elders this International Day of Older Persons
Enliven is calling on New Zealanders, including the Government, to recognise the elders in their communities this month.
Saturday 1 October is International Day of Older Persons, which aims to challenge negative stereotypes and misconceptions about older persons and ageing, something Enliven aims to do every day.
Enliven Central operates rest homes and retirement villages across the lower North Island, including Taranaki’s Chalmers Home.
General Manager Nicola Turner says Enliven’s mission is to create age friendly communities where older people thrive, regardless of their age or ability.
“We truly value age here. Older people have so much to give. They deserve to have a life full of life!”
She says there are many organisations, like Enliven, working hard to support older people through a variety of aged care services, yet the lack of Government support is leaving older people out in the cold.
“Our elders deserve so much more than that!” says Nicola. “They have lived amazing
lives and we need to care more about their needs.”
The spotlight has been on the aged care sector recently with many leaders describing the entire sector being on the verge of collapse.
“The lack of aged care funding is a real problem, as is the shortage of nurses. If the sector collapses, where do older people go?
“As a society we need to place more value on our older people. The Government needs to provide more support for older people and aged care,” says Nicola.
A range of events and activities are planned across New Zealand this week to celebrate International Day of Older Persons or Seniors Week.
Nicola hopes that people take the opportunity to recognise and value older people and the contributions they have made, and continue to make, to New Zealand society.
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