Older people need to plan for after-hours emergencies

Age Concern New Zealand Media Release – 23 June 2011

Age Concern says older people need to plan for after-hours emergencies

“Government and DHBs need to take a serious look at the affordability and suitability of current after-hours care provision for older people” said Age Concern New Zealand president Liz Baxendine today.

A report from the Auditor General has identified that older people have particular problems getting to medical services at night or over the weekend due to lack of transport, mobility problems, general frailty, and living alone.

Mrs Baxendine says “Cost is also an issue for older people. Visits to the GP, especially after-hours, have become unaffordable for many people on low or fixed incomes. This includes the many older people living on New Zealand Superannuation alone. After-hours fees can be $100 dollars or more, which represents almost a third of their weekly income, and that’s without additional transport and prescription costs.”

Mrs Baxendine adds “Older people tell us that what they really need is to have the option of affordable GP home visits if they fall ill in the night and are unable to get to their medical centre. Unfortunately this option is not available in most areas of the country, so it’s important to have a plan”.

Age Concern New Zealand has produced a fact sheet “Getting after-hours medical care” to assist older people to plan ahead for after-hours medical emergencies. The fact sheet contains information on finding out what’s available, planning how to get there, keeping emergency numbers to hand, and knowing when to call an ambulance. The fact sheet is available on the Age Concern New Zealand website.

Mrs Baxendine says, “Current service provision is not ideal. If you are older, frail, and living alone, it can be difficult to get the care you need if you become ill in the night, but older people can help themselves by planning ahead.”

ENDS

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