Look Deeper, Go Wider? The Future Focus of Aged Care

Focusing on more efficient and effective aged care facilities and developing new services will be the focus of the New Zealand Aged Care Association conference in Rotorua next week.

The “Future Focus of Care: Deeper and Wider?” Conference will be held from September 10 – 13 and look at the benefits of going ‘deeper’ and ‘wider’ for both aged care providers and government.

“It’s a hugely important time for aged care providers and we want them to focus on what is being done now and look at ways of working towards more efficient and effective operations. We want providers to look deeper into their industry and ask how can we improve on the services we are offering to the elderly residents,” says Martin Taylor, the CEO of the New Zealand Aged Care Association.

Mr Taylor said the aim of the conference is also to focus on “widening” aspects of the industry through developing and providing new services, such as delivering more community services or by providing more rehabilitation services, some of which may by currently provided by the public sector.

Political leaders, researchers and international sector experts will gather to address these themes against the backdrop of financial recessions and in combination with rising baby boomer numbers and rising consumer expectations.

“We need to start the conversation about what benefits the country and the elderly more in terms of who provides health services, where those health services are situated and how they are paid for,” he said.

“The government doesn’t want to build more institutions and aged care providers want to diversify. Our elderly and their families want the best care possible, so in those circumstances, something has to change. These are among the issues that will be looked at during our conference”, Mr Taylor said.

Key note speakers are:

Jo Goodhew, Associate Minister of Health
Karima Velji, Vice President for Clinical and Residential Programs BayCrest, Canada
Dr Michal Boyd, Senior Lecturer, the University of Auckland
Chai Chuah, National Director, National Health Board, Ministry of Health
Benje Patterson, Economist Infometrics

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