Opening of the new Hospital Wing at Broadview Rest Home
Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Health;
Member of Parliament for Te Tai Hauauru;
Saturday 4 December 2010; 1pm

- Bryan Mogridge, Chairman of Bupa Care Services
- Grainne Moss, General Manager, Care Homes
- Marilyn Williamson, Manager Broadview Rest Home and Hospital
- Your honour the Mayor, Annette Main
- Staff and residents of the home

There is probably nothing more exciting than the trends we are observing in life expectancy.

All the statisticians tell us that people are living longer, and are healthier than prior generations.

The number of people over 65 is projected to grow two and a half times by 2050, while those 85 and over will grow five-fold.

But there is another special trend leading to the growth in the numbers of elderly in our population – and that is the impact of the post-World War Two baby boom which will add to the rising proportion of older people.
That in itself is a fact worth celebrating. And I cannot help but reflect on the fact that it is baby boomers who are responsible for songs like “Forever Young”, and “Born to be Wild!

Now the fact that there’s going to be more people of my generation and older around, is all well and good – but of course it also has some consequences.

While many older people do not experience major health issues, we know that disability increases with age, and that the number of people with dementia is also expected to increase.

So it is vital that we plan ahead for our future; that we make sure services are available, and that we take the time to ensure that services are in the right place at the right time to meet the changing expectations and priorities of our silver population.

I am delighted therefore, to join with you in celebrating the building of this new hospital wing, here in Whanganui.

And I want to really congratulate BUPA – the British United Provident Association – for your leadership and your investment vision in seeking to meet the needs of our community, and specifically the growing demand for services for older New Zealand.

I am particularly pleased that in responding to the call for specialised hospital care here in Whanganui it provides an opportunity for families to now bring their loved ones back home.

The opening of the new wing to the care home is a major advance on current services, expanding from 41 beds currently to 85 beds.

In the expansion Broadview will gain an additional 24 new hospital beds, ten beds to support people living with dementia and ten beds allocated for psycho-geriatric care.

But what you are doing here at Broadview is so much more than the provision of beds and facilities. As we gaze out in the new lounge looking out over the stunning Whanganui vista, it is in many ways symbolic of the new horizons that are being extended out for us.
Indeed perhaps this is the true meaning of your name, the Broad View.

As our lifespans lengthen, so too do the opportunities for our families to benefit from the wisdom and diversity of our elders.

I know that there has been much said about the commitment Government must make towards improving the monitoring of aged residential care to ensure it meets quality standards.

This is, of course, an expectation that I believe everyone here shares.

Older New Zealanders and their families need to be able to make informed choices about residential care, on the basis of quality information.

And I want to acknowledge Bupa’s commitment to the provision of quality dementia care, and the investment you have made in the right mix of nurses, medical practitioners, support workers and diversional therapists to best manage dementia.

I want to also congratulate Bupa for the goal you have identified of a ten percent reduction in the overall use of antipsychotic drugs for dementia residents in Bupa Care Homes.

But I want to challenge Bupa – and indeed us all – that quality of life does not rest merely on the quality of facilities and staffing.

The quality of life is about the quality of people.

It is about ensuring our elderly are loved and respected for who they are.

It is about valuing their very essence; enabling their dignity to be honoured; appreciating the unique perspectives they offer.

It is about all of us being culturally competent – recognising that our cultural values, protocols, ways of being are as vital to our health as the beating of our heart.

It is about understanding the worldviews that each of us bring; enabling the space for finding out what is it that drives us, that keeps us active and fulfilled.
Recently I attended a hui where an elder was coming home to his people after a period of significant ill-health. As he sat in his wheelchair, his breath laboured and his health compromised, it was evident that the experience of travelling to the event had not been without difficulty.

But in the flash of a moment, as his young mokopuna started to lead a haka that was clearly familiar to him, this koroua sat tall and proud, his whole being animated with the energy he gained from these young ones.

It was an incredible image to me that expressed the life-giving properties we see connected to our whanau, our whakapapa, our histories, our waiata, our culture.

In much the same way, how often do we see grandparents spring into action as they embrace their lively grandchildren, or cuddle a newborn baby

The vitality of the interchange between teenagers and elders; between one generation and the next is a dynamic that we must preserve and promote as a key part of life’s journey.

That is why I was so thrilled to see the children from the St Marcellin School Choir had been asked to perform and to watch the kapa haka group as they welcomed us here today.

What you are doing here at Broadview is celebrating the lifecycle. I know that for three families in particular, the opportunity for their loved ones to return home from the facilities they have been in outside this region, is a very special reason why this opening is welcomed.

I am absolutely honoured to be able to be part of this special day, and I wish everyone who is part of Broadview the opportunity to benefit from a positive, fulfilling and quality experience.

ends

© Scoop Media