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A DRAFT strategy which aims to address the health problems of New Zealand's ageing population has been released by Associate Health Minister Ruth Dyson
By 2010, 13 per cent of New Zealanders would be aged over 65, Mrs Dyson said. That was expected to rise to 25 per cent by 2051.
"We need to start planning now, so that the structures and funding are in place to meet the needs of current and future generations of older people," she said in a statement.
The draft had identified some changes which needed to occur immediately, including:
* better co-ordination of health and support services;
* greater emphasis on health promotion and disease prevention;
* more emphasis on community level health care and support so people can stay in their own homes as they get older.
Underlying the changes needed was the need for older people to be able to move smoothly from one service to another as their needs changed. Northland and Canterbury district health boards had been chosen as lead providers to develop a model to do that.
"By 2010, we want health services and programmes in place that promote the well-being of older people, their control over their lives and their ability to participate in - and contribute to - social, family, whanau and community life," Mrs Dyson said.
Public meetings would be held nation-wide to discuss the draft. The final strategy will be released early next year.