Home Based Care For The Elderly On The Up

MEDIA RELEASE
10th OCTOBER 2008

Growth In Home Based Care For The Elderly On The Up Amid Elder Abuse Concerns

Concerns over residential care for the elderly are being met by an increasing demand for home based care for older family members.

Home Instead Senior Care’s managing director, Neil Farnworth, says the recent case of elder abuse at a rest-home in Auckland concerned families around the country who are looking for suitable care for an elderly relative. That concern is being matched by growing demand for home based care by experienced carers such as that provided by his company.

“Moving into a rest home is often what springs to mind for families looking for outside assistance with an ageing family member. But we are finding that more and more families are contacting us looking for alternative care options following the tragic Bellhaven Rest Home case. Home based care allows the elderly to remain in their own familiar environment, something the majority prefer doing. It also provides families peace of mind that their loved ones are being cared for appropriately.”

Home Instead Senior Care provides non-medical home care for senior citizens, from companionship and meal preparation to 24-hour incontinent care, transportation, shopping and light housekeeping in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Palmerston North, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Mr Farnworth says home based care can make a huge difference to the quality of life of an older person who often just need basic help with daily tasks like cooking and cleaning.

“Our elderly clients consistently tell us that remaining in their own home enhances their independence and mental well-being which is fantastic. It’s also a huge weight of their families minds knowing their loved one is in their own home and safe.”

Home based care is also financially viable for Kiwi families with New Zealand rest homes charging on average $750 and upwards per week while Home Instead Senior Care’s fees vary from between $50 to $300 per week.

According to Statistics New Zealand, the 65 plus age group is projected to make up over one-quarter of New Zealand’s population from the late 2030s, compared with 12 percent in 2005. The largest increases in the 65 plus age group will occur in the 2020s and 2030s when the large births recorded in the 1950s and 1960s move into this age group. Already kiwis aged 65 plus have more than doubled from 200,000 in the 1970s to over half a million in 2005.

ENDS

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