Safety blights NZ’s chances of being good to grow old in

Monday, 23 November 2015

Safety blights NZ’s chances of being one of the best places in the world to grow old International report says personal safety is an increasing issue for the over 50s

New Zealand ranks 12 out of 96 countries in an annual ranking of the best and worst places for older people to live - but only 30th for safety and transport - according to the Global Age Watch Index, a report commissioned by Help Age International.

Ranking highest on the Index’s health measure (9/96), New Zealand’s elderly have a greater than average life expectancy and ‘good health’ expectancy. New Zealand also scored highly on income security, with 98 percent of people over 65 receiving a pension.

However, the news was not all good. New Zealand ranked lowest in the ‘enabling’ environment, due to low satisfaction of older people with safety on New Zealand streets after hours and access to public transport.

“Keeping safe and socially connected is of vital importance to a healthy, happy life for the elderly or vulnerable,” says Darren Steele of Care Alert personal alarms.

“There are simple ways in which people can feel safer in their home. A personal alarm connects you immediately with friends, neighbours or family in an emergency.”

For Auckland resident Bronwen Finn, having a personal alarm has given her peace of mind. “My family was going away and knowing I’m quite a nervous person and that I would be on my own, they bought me a Care Alert alarm. It was comforting for them to know I could call for help if I needed to. I feel more secure having it with me,” she says.

The NZ Police recommends carrying a personal alarm, while Neighbourhood Support suggests making a list of phone numbers of people you can call in an emergency as ways to organise personal safety. A Care Alert personal alarm does both; emergency contact numbers are pre-programmed, and when activated, it will call them one by one until someone answers. There are no ongoing monitoring costs, a benefit for pensioners.

With the number of New Zealanders aged 65 years and over expected to double to around 1.2 million by 2035 - a quarter of our population - looking after our older people and making them safe is a top priority. The NZ Police has some safety advice for older people:

Don’t open the door to strangers. Install a peephole in your door. If you don’t know someone, keep the door closed.
Have a phone by your bed.
Arrange with a neighbour to phone or visit you if your curtains are still drawn after a certain time in the morning.
Have a personal or medical alarm that you can press in an emergency.
Never tell someone that you are alone in the house.
Get a Life Tube from Age Concern or Neighbourhood Support. In an emergency the red Life Tube sticker on your fridge will alert Police, ambulance or fire service that vital information about you is available inside the refrigerator.
Ask for a security checklist from Neighbourhood Support.

ENDS

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