Govt unveils strategy to aid ageing population
Helping older people to work if they want to and countering ageism are key aspects of the Government’s plan to support New Zealand’s ageing population.
The strategy, called Better Later Life — He Oranga Kaumatua 2019 to 2034, was released yesterday by Seniors Minister Tracey Martin and aims to ensure older people can participate in society and be valued as they age.
“It has also been designed to ensure New Zealand is prepared for and makes the most of our ageing population,” Martin said.
By 2034, 1.2 million New Zealanders — about a quarter of the population — will be aged 65+, and an estimated 179,000 people will be aged 85+, twice as many as last year.
The number of Maori aged 65+ will more than double (from 48,500 to
It has also been designed to ensure New Zealand is prepared. Tracey Martin
109,400) between 2018 and 2034, as will the senior Pacific population (from 21,300 to 46,700), while the number of senior Asian New Zealanders will almost triple (from
59,500 to 171,900).
Seniors make up about 6.2 per cent of the workforce, but that is likely to rise to 10.6 per cent by 2033.
The demographic shifts would have implications for the economy, workforce, housing, health and aged care, and social services, Martin said.
Better Later Life’s five key areas for action:
● Financial security and economic participation
● Healthy ageing and improving access to services
● Diverse housing choices/options
● Opportunities for participation and social connection
● Making environments accessible. “For example, two key areas of the strategy are supporting seniors in the workforce, and promoting housing options appropriate for older people. It is also important . . . we have policies and initiatives that help people to keep connections throughout their lives and stop them being isolated or lonely.
“Ageism, discrimination, negative stereotypes and attitudes towards older people all impact on the quality of later working lives and are considered in the strategy.”
An action plan will be developed based on the strategy’s key areas and progress will be tracked.
The Government has upgraded the SuperGold website and plans a new SuperGold app. It also has the Age-friendly NZ programme which, among other things, aims to have wide pedestrian crossings and footpaths, public transport to health centres, shops and parks, and affordable housing close to services.