A challenging year ahead for Switzer
Last year was another busy and challenging one for Kaitaia rest home Switzer Residential Care as it continued to make improvements in its facilities and services.
And the pace will not be easing in 2019.
“Our focus is on the key issues that affect the wellbeing of older people — loneliness, helplessness and boredom,” general manager Jackie Simkins said.
“These, together with social isolation, the lack of affordable housing, access to care, support, security and financial hardship, are what drives the trust’s current and future planning.”
It was 63 years since the Claud Switzer Memorial Trust was registered as a charitable trust, with the enduring mission of caring for the aged needy in what were then the Kaitaia Borough and Mangonui County (now Te Hiku Ward of the Far North District).
As a stand-alone, not-for-profit provider, the trust had always aimed to grow and develop the services it provided to meet the needs of the community, but in 2018, for the first time, it had not been able to keep pace with the demand.
“We are very aware of our obligations to provide care in the broadest sense for vulnerable older people, both within our home and in the general community. We believe that no older person should feel vulnerable or alone, and that we should care about older people, particularly the most vulnerable,” Mrs Simkins said.
“As the older population increases and health care improves, people are living and working for longer. There has been a change in the attitude of many families towards responsibility for caring for the aged, which is exacerbated by the increasing cost of living. Many families struggle, and need the income from both partners to manage their everyday expenditure, and for many families, owning their own home is not a realistic goal.
“The outcome of these population and social changes is that, increasingly, more older people will require care, affordable housing options, support, safety and security.”
The trust was responding to the challenges with plans to provide a further 20 hospital beds and to build a residential village to meet the accommodation and care needs of older people in a way that fitted with current models of care and support.
It was also looking at ways of boosting the funding available for the planned development, which could include a strategic like-minded partner.
“We are also continuing our work to implement the Eden Alternative Philosophy of Care, which aims to alleviate older citizens’ loneliness, helplessness and boredom,” Mrs Simkins added.
“Meaningful activities, with regular access to plants, animals and children, provide loving companionship, opportunities to give as well as receive, and an environment where spontaneity and variety is encouraged, which enhances the joy of life.
“Building on our tradition, experience and customer service, we will continue to provide the quality care and support that are synonymous with the Switzer name and special character, to the benefit of the aged and the vulnerable elderly. The trust aims to meet the challenges and take its vision forward into the future.”