Longer lives require better systems and better care for older people
Aged Care Commissioner Erin James says Aotearoa New Zealand must ensure that longer lives are supported by systems that protect the rights, dignity, autonomy and wellbeing of older people throughout every stage of ageing.
“International Day of Older Persons recognises the valued place older people hold in our communities, and within families and whānau,” says Ms James.
"It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the issues and challenges currently facing older people.”
Ms James says this year’s theme The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives, asks us to consider whether our systems and services have kept pace with the significant change in how long we are living.
“Increased life expectancy is a major achievement and gains in this area should be celebrated,” she says.
“But success cannot only be measured by the number of additional years that we live. We need to consider how those years are lived.
"The question must be whether our systems can support people to live those longer lives well.”
Ms James says an ageing population is often discussed in terms of increasing demand for health services and aged residential care.
“Planning for changes in demographics is necessary. However, older people must be valued for the significant contribution they make to our society and not simply seen as a pressure on services to be managed. Our systems must evolve to meet changing needs.
"Older people have rights, and rethinking systems for longer lives means starting with the person themselves and asking what they need to continue living well, with dignity, choice, connection and purpose.”
As we consider what changes need to be made to the aged care system to respond and adapt to a changing population, reform must be measured by what it means for the person receiving the care, says Ms James.
“There are important conversations underway about the future sustainability and design of our aged care system. We know that change needs to occur, but sustainability cannot be considered in isolation from quality, safety and the rights of older people
“Longevity should prompt us to think ambitiously about what a good later life looks like.
“We should not accept a lower expectation of dignity, safety, autonomy or quality care just because our system is under strain.”
Ms James says, as reforms continue to be considered and debated, older people must be included in these discussions.
"A society that values longevity, must also value the rights and voices of older people”, she says.”
Listening to older people, their families and whānau must be central to the way services are designed, monitored and improved, she says.
"The opportunity presented by reform is to design a system that is sustainable because it works better for people, not because it delivers less.
“As Aged Care Commissioner my focus is on advocating for equitable access to safe, high-quality care for all older people in Aotearoa New Zealand, wherever that care is delivered.”
You can find out more information about International Older Persons Day here.