Elderly sold a pup on removal of asset testing

The Government is continuing to string elderly along about the removal of assets testing with reports of further delays on its promise of four years ago, says National Senior Citizens Spokesperson Dr Lynda Scott.

"The removal of asset testing was dangled as a carrot to the elderly before the 1999 election. Two elections later there is still no progress and now the Minister responsible Ruth Dyson is talking about changing the goal posts.

"The elderly were promised the full removal of asset testing by the Minister, but now she's saying it will look at only removing the family home from asset testing.

"This further delay marks three years of the Government treating the elderly poorly, by ignoring the pleas of the Wellington City Mission petition pleading that more care is needed for the elderly.

"Forty aged care facilities around the country closed last year and others have cut support to elderly people because they are struggling to survive. Geriatric hospitals have not received any funding increase in four years.

"The aged population is increasing but at the same time the Government does not seem to care that rest home and aged care facilities are cutting corners, cutting staff or closing.

"The failed promise on the removal of asset testing and this Government's numb responses on the growing needs of our weakest and most vulnerable elderly, show it simply doesn't care about those who don't have a loud voice," said Dr Scott.

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