With strokes now confirmed as the leading cause of disability in New Zealand, the number of victims is expected to rise substantially as our population ages – adding further pressure to New Zealand’s emerging housing crisis.

Andrew Olsen, general manager of Lifetime Design, which administers the Lifemark, an independent quality mark that demonstrates a home is both usable and accessible, says it is another sign of the urgent need to address New Zealand’s inaccessible housing stock.

“The high stroke incidence raises serious concerns, indeed it is so urgent that the Government has just launched the National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience specifically to address health and rehabilitation of stroke victims.

“But, it’s in our country’s homes where this ageing and potentially stroke-disabled population will face the biggest challenge.

Mr Olsen says there is already a huge cost involved in ensuring those disabled by age can stay in their homes with a Ministry of Social report showing that ACC and the Ministry of Health last year spent more than $33 million on housing modifications for older people wanting to stay in their own home.

“And, considering how rapidly our population is ageing, with the number of over-65’s set to double over the next 40 years - these costs are also set to double. Our Government is speaking very clearly about the need to reduce spending and so I expect to see a crisis emerge in housing for older people within the next decade.”

Over the next decade several key issues are set to arise around where elderly people live and how they are supported. An important factor is generational expectations as baby boomers and Generations X and Y move into their golden years safely, Mr Olsen says.

“These assertive and independent people seek to live as young as possible for as long as possible and, unlike my mother, they will not make do with living in a house where the stairways are too steep to use safely, or where the taps cause pain in her wrists every time she uses one.”

He says these generational expectations will become a key driver for changing the way houses are built and how transport and workplaces are organised.

“Addressing this shortage of suitable housing for our ageing and disabled population is a responsibility not only of Government but the private sector and communities.

“The challenges is to make it a priority through private and public sector adoption of the Lifemark standard that means homes are built to be accessible and adaptable for people’s needs throughout their lives.”

Mr Olsen says the community sector is already taking on the challenge with the Salvation Army for example, currently building rental housing for over 55 year olds on low incomes based on their analysis that shows this is going to be a big social need over the next 25 years.

“Community action is entirely appropriate, but Government also has a responsibility to act - not only as it forms 20% of the economy, but because if we think together, if we take a collaborative approach, then we will come up with a more powerful solution.”

ENDS

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