Age Concern Welcomes Extra Support

We’re glad to see the extra allocation for older people in the year’s Budget, as announced this afternoon, says Ann Martin, chief executive of Age Concern New Zealand.

“This will give much-needed resourcing for the government’s strategy for older people’s health. It’s due to be implemented by 2010. Age Concern New Zealand has been asking how this would ever happen on the current funding levels.

“We know many older people will be really pleased with the extra $20.3 million per year for home-based support.

“Better resourced well-trained home support staff will mean more people can remain in their own homes for longer.

“We know from our contact with older people that they want to stay in their own homes as long as possible. This is good for them and good for their communities.”

The extra $37.5 million per year for residential care (plus inflation and volume increases) will give much-needed resources for older people who need this care.

“People are living longer, staying active and contributing to society longer. This extra funding is needed to help them do this,” Ann Martin says.

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