Engage Aotearoa

Category Archives: Older People And Aging

Information about mental health for older people

Online Suicide Prevention Training Available!

October 12, 2012 4:04 am ⋅

QPR Online Training – Foundations in Suicide Prevention

Ask a Question –   Save a Life

Fee $50 including GST

Worried about someone? 

Learn what to look for, when to be concerned and what to say to save a life!

Click here to Purchase QPR Online Suicide Prevention Training

The training programme includes:

  • Risk factors for suicide
  • How to get help for someone in crisis
  • The warning signs of a suicide crisis
  • The common causes of suicidal behaviour
  • Relationship of mental illness to suicide
  • When and how to Question suicidal people
  • How to Persuade people to accept help
  • How to Refer people to resources

QPR New Zealand on-line Suicide Prevention Training

Learn to save a life in as little as two hours, anywhere, anytime.QPR New Zealand offers a comprehensive online training programme, using the latest in educational web technology.  This training will arm you with the skills you need to help prevent suicide today.

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer – 3 simple steps that anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people are trained in CPR to help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of suicide and how to question, persuade, and refer someone for help.

Posted in: Families/Whanau, Older People and Aging, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Social Change, Suicide Prevention/Support, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , ,

Community Consultation on The Ministry’s Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan

October 12, 2012 3:51 am ⋅

The Ministry of Health is releasing for stakeholder consultation Rising to the Challenge: The Mental Health and Addiction Service Development Plan 2012 – 2017.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide direction for mental health and addiction service delivery across the health sector over the next five years, and to clearly articulate Government expectations about what changes are needed to build on and enhance gains made in the delivery of mental health and addictions in recent years. The Plan incorporates key themes from Blueprint II and advances the Government’s focus on better performing public services. The plan has also been informed by input from preliminary sector consultations.

The consultation period will run from 8 October 2012 to 2 November 2012.  Feedback closes on Friday 2 November 2012 at 5.00 pm. Please note that any feedback forms received after this time will not be included in the analysis of feedback.

How to respond

You can respond using the consultation response questionnaire attached to the consultation document. Email your local coordinator to request a consultation document and feedback form.

Attend a regional consultation workshop in your region during October.

You may already be aware of these meetings.  If not, please email the contact person identified for further details if you wish to attend.

Your views and feedback are welcome and can be provided:

a) by email to:  SDP@moh.govt.nz

b)   in writing to:  April-Mae Marshall, Mental Health Service Improvement Group,  Ministry of Health,  PO Box 5013,  Wellington.

All feedback forms will be acknowledged by the Ministry of Health and a summary of feedback will be sent to all those who request a copy. We look forward to your feedback which will assist us to finalise this document.

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Men, News, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Service-User Movement, Social Change, Women, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Acclaim Otago Launches Independent ACC survey

July 23, 2012 6:55 am ⋅

As a support group for injured people, Acclaim Otago is concerned that there is very little in the way of current and independent data available that accurately describes aspects of an injured person’s experience with ACC.

Acclaim Otago’s president, Dr Denise Powell says, “This is especially obvious when talking about rehabilitation and Vocational Independence. We are hearing anecdotally, that people are being exited from ACC without first receiving meaningful rehabilitation”.

ACC has recently said that “rehabilitation always comes first” but Dr Powell says “We have no simple way of finding out if this is correct or not. ACC does not currently keep data that identifies what happens once a person exits the scheme and we believe that is a huge gap. This survey aims to find out what happens to people who are clients of ACC.”

“We hope to use the survey results to make recommendations that will substantially improve the experience of injured people in New Zealand. We believe any improvements we can identify to the scheme will benefit not just the ACC and their clients, but potentially generations of New Zealanders to come” Dr Powell states.

The survey can be found at

Posted in: Community Participation, Disability Issues, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, People with Disabilities, Research, Trauma, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Transition Times 3: Changes to Benefit Structure

June 15, 2012 5:07 am ⋅

For your information from New Zealand Council of Social Services.

‘Transition Times’ #3 forwarded on behalf of Ros Rice, CEO, NZCOSS

Please note you can access NZCOSS Facebook where Ros posts information and commentary almost daily. https://www.facebook.com/pages/New-Zealand-Council-of-Social-Services/148340588547487. There is also a link on the front page of the website.

TRANSITION TIMES

Tracking changes to the NZ Government’s funding and administration of social services in our communities.

(NZCOSS is not offering opinion or critique on the information that we are providing in this mailout.)

PLEASE CIRCULATE THIS TO ALL YOUR MEMBERS

Date: 07.6.2012

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE GOVERNMENT’S PLANNED WELFARE REFORMS

FIVE MAIN AREAS OF CHANGE

  • Changes in structure of benefits
  • Introduction of a fiscal liability-based ‘Investment Approach’
  • A ‘Youth Package’ – for 16-17 year old youth and 16 -18 year old teen parents on benefit
  • Changes affecting parents and sole parents on benefit
  • Changes affecting people with long-term illness or disability

CHANGES TO BENEFIT STRUCTURE

Three new main benefits:

  • Jobseeker Support – replaces current UB, SB (those who are temporarily unable to work due to illness will have a temporary work-test waiver) and DPB for those with youngest child aged 14+ years
  • Sole Parent Support – replaces DPB-Sole Parent for those with youngest child under 14
  • Supported Living Payment – replaces IB and DPB-Caring for Sick and Infirm

Also: Youth Payment & Young Parent Payment (see Youth Package)

THE “INVESTMENT APPROACH”

  • Significant change to method of measuring performance and accountability for Work and Income’s activities
  • Annual (or biannual) actuarial assessment of long-term future liability of current (and future?) beneficiary population (ie, sum of all future benefit costs for current beneficiary population. Current estimate: approximately $45b).
  • A primary expectation on MSD/Work and Income will be to reduce the long-term fiscal liability number.
  • Amount of assistance provided to a person to be guided by the estimated liability they represent (and therefore the reduction in the long-term fiscal liability estimate if they leave benefit)
  • A new Board to oversee this – reports direct to Ministers of Social Development and Finance
  • In future, MSD funding may include performance rewards/penalties according to performance against change in LTFL estimate.

THE YOUTH PACKAGE

  • Applies (broadly) to 16-17 yr old youth and 16-18 yr old parents (single or couples) not supported by family or parents (ie mainly those previously eligible for the Independent Youth Benefit or Emergency Maintenance Allowance ). Commences in July 2012.
  • Intensive ‘wrap-around’ assistance – main focus being to achieve NCEA Level 2, also parenting and budgeting courses and other obligations (and incentives)
  • Heavy emphasis on money management – rent and bills paid directly, remainder on payment card for groceries, up to $50 cash as ‘In-hand Allowance
  • Services will be provided by contracted providers (private, NGO or Iwi)
  • Sanctions: based on recommendation of contracted providers: up to 100% (youth), 50% (young parents)

PARENTS AND SOLE PARENTS ON BENEFIT

  • Part-time work test (15 hours) when youngest is 5 yrs; work preparation expectations when youngest is 3 yrs;
  • When youngest reaches 14, sole parents move from SPP to JSS with 30 hour work test and (presumably) JSS abatement regime

‘Subsequent child’ policy: if woman has child when on benefit:

  • Child’s age is disregarded for work-test obligation once s/he reaches 12 months old
  • Applies to couples on benefit as well as sole parents.
  • Applies at W&I discretion on ‘underlying principles’ of the policy, and can include wider circumstances if W&I believes a woman is seeking to get around the intention of the policy

Medical costs paid for contraceptive advice and for long-acting contraception for mothers on benefit and for their teenage daughters

DISABILITY AND LONG TERM ILLNESS

  • Full details are yet to be announced.
  • Work capacity assessment procedures to be introduced
  • Presumably to apply to all applicants for the new Supported Living Payment and to all those currently on IB (and possibly some SBs)

Ros Rice, Executive Officer NZCOSS

(With thanks to Michael Fletcher; Senior Lecturer, Institute of Public Policy, AUT University.)

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Employment / Work, Families/Whanau, Grants & Funding, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Maori Communities, News, Older People and Aging, Online Resources, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Refugees / Migrants, Social Change, Women, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Have Your Say on the Gambling Harm Reduction Amendment Bill

June 15, 2012 4:57 am ⋅

A new gambling bill is currently before Parliament. The Gambling (Gambling Harm Reduction) Amendment Bill is a private member’s bill in the name of Te Ururoa Flavell.

Have your say in creating better gambling laws by making a written submission or make an online submission here – www.haveyoursayonpokies.co.nz/ to the Select Committee. This can be as short or as long as you like. You can submit for or against parts of the bill or the entire bill. If you make a written submission, you can also make an oral presentation. You can be as creative as you like. This is your chance to tell your story about the impact of gambling on you, your family and your community and to tell politicians about the changes that you want to see.

p.s. Some info, current editorial from the Herald

www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10812126

Current facts on gambling

www.pgfnz.org.nz/Fact-Sheets-/0,2731,13132,00.html

Is gambling a concern in NZ?

http://choicenotchance.org.nz/gambling-in-nz/is-gambling-really-a-problem-new-zealand

5 year distribution of Pokie funds under the current system in Auckland– see PDF attached (as requested by some local organisations)

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Maori Communities, News, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Refugees / Migrants, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , , , ,

Caring Counts Report on Aged Care Workforce in NZ

June 1, 2012 11:20 pm ⋅

NEON (National Equal Opportunities Network) Special Feature

Caring Counts: Report of the Inquiry into the Aged Care Workforce      

Click the links below to view individual sections from Caring Counts

Part 1
–  Foreword
–  Recommendations

–  Timetable for implementation

Part 2
–  Why this Inquiry?

–  About the Human Rights Commission
–  Terms of Reference
–  How we conducted the Inquiry
–  Terminology
–  Issues looked at in the Inquiry

Part 3
–  Respect and value
–  Workforce supply, recruitment and retention
–  Conditions of work
–  Wages and pay parity
– Carers – community and residential facilities
– The gendered nature of caring
– Pay issues
– Financial modelling
– Transparency and consistency
– Transferring resources
– Pay issues for registered nurses and other workers
– Conclusion
–  Staff to resident ratios
–  Training and qualifications
–  Changing service models and developing skill sets
–  Minimum training levels for support workers
–  Qualifications and rewards
–  Value of training
–  Career path
–  Challenges
–  Qualifications, training and the regulated workforce
–  Conclusion
– Managerial competence
–  Men as carers
–  Migrant workforce
–  Migrant workers in the aged care sector
   –  Overseas trained nurses
–  English language requirements for registration
–  Work visas – the union view

–  Work visas – the employers view
–  Cultural and language differences
–   Conclusion
–  Regulatory frameworks
–  Regulation of the workforce
–  Regulation of services
–  Integration and coordination of services
–  Conclusion

Part 4
–  Diary of a carer
–  Maori in aged care
–  Impact of Christchurch earthquake

Part 5
–  Financial modelling
–  Human rights framework
–  Literature review

–  Appendices

Posted in: Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Older People and Aging ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

Update on the Living Wage Campaign

June 1, 2012 11:05 pm ⋅

LIVING WAGE AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND LAUNCHED IN AUCKLAND

On Wednesday 23 May an exciting new movement of community, faith-based groups and unions united around a common goal to address poverty and inequality in New Zealand was launched.

Around 200 people attended the launch of Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand in St Stephen’s church hall in Jervois Road, Ponsonby, Auckland. The event was a positive and affirming celebration.

A big thanks to all the community organisations, faith-based groups, unions and others who made this launch a huge success!

The launch

Our MC, Rev Mua Strickson Pua, did a wonderful job, even inviting speaker Uesefili Unasa to join him for a hiphop version of the song She Works Hard For Her Money.

Uesefili spoke of the importance of a living wage for the Pacific community. Other speakers included: Darryl Evans from Mangere Budgeting and Family Support Services, Rev Margaret Mayman from St Andrews on the Terrace, NZ Council of Trade Unions President, Helen Kelly, and Service and Food Workers Union Nga Ringa Tota President Barbara Wyeth and National Secretary John Ryall.

Those speeches will be published on the new Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand website http://www.livingwagenz.org.nz/ when they are available.

The winner and runner up of the SFWU Living Wage song competition, Kane Hogan performed his song. Listen here. http://soundcloud.com/living-wage-aotearoa-nz/kane-hogan-more-for-all-need-a.

But the highlight was the official sign-on by community organisations, church groups and unions to a giant poster of the Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand statement:

“A living wage is the income necessary to provide workers and their families with the basic necessities of life. A living wage will enable workers to live in dignity and to participate as active citizens in society. We call upon the Government, employers and society as a whole, to strive for a living wage for all households as a necessary and important step in the reduction of poverty in New Zealand.”

Afterwards, community, church people and unions joined for a lunch.

Supporting organisations

The list of supporting organisations is growing daily. For a list of all organisations (to 23 May) click here. www.livingwagenz.org.nz/support.php

Follow up

On the day of the launch a website and facebook page went live. Hundreds of people have signed on to receive regular campaign updates and have volunteered to get involved and donate their skills to the on-going campaign.

Media coverage

The launch attracted huge media coverage. To view go to: www.livingwagenz.org.nz/news.php

Next steps

Wellington Meeting

Wellington groups are invited to a meeting to plan the next steps on Wednesday 4 July 1pm – 3pm, at Epworth House, behind Methodist Church, 75 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington.

For information email: lyndy.mcintyre@sfwu.org.nz

Auckland Meeting

Auckland groups are meeting to establish an Auckland coalition on Thursday 5 July, 2pm – 4pm at St Stephen’s Church Hall, 65 Jervois Road, Ponsonby.

For information email fala.haulangi@sfwu.org.nz

Advance Pasifika

March for our future. Gather at Albert Park, Auckland at 9am 16 June to march for a better future for Pacific people.

For information: 021 024 58674 or email advance.pasifika@gmail.com

Meanwhile, sign up to the Living Wage Aotearoa New Zealand facebook page: www.facebook.com/LivingWageAotearoaNewZealand

 

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Refugees / Migrants, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: ,

Celebrities say WTF?! about suicide among LGBT youth

May 25, 2012 6:37 am ⋅

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect – More than 30 of New Zealand’s leading celebrities come together in this Rainbow Youth and Outline campaign to ask New Zealand to stand together and say WTF?! .

Watch the video and share with your friends!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2D_4JwQ2Fug

Posted in: Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Families/Whanau, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Physical Health, Rainbow / LGBTQI+ Community, Refugees / Migrants, Social Change, Suicide Prevention/Support, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: , ,

Media Release: New figures show older people significant portion of society

May 21, 2012 5:49 am ⋅

Age Concern New Zealand: Media Release: 15 May 2012:

New figures show older people significant portion of society

Age Concern New Zealand says new figures show the significant portion of society older people make up.

The figures, released yesterday by Statistics New Zealand, show those over 80 are the fastest growing age-group with the age group growing at about four times the rate of 20 years ago.

There are presently more than 160,000 New Zealanders aged over 80 but Statistics New Zealand estimates this number could reach half a million by 2050.

Age Concern New Zealand Chief Executive Ann Martin says this is great news for our country.

“People living longer, healthier lives has to be a positive.

“Older people are some of our most active volunteers, as well as an invaluable source of wisdom.

“It also means more older people will be able to stay in their own homes for longer and to care for those less able.”

However, Age Concern believes planning by all sectors of society will be required to meet a range of service demands.

“For Age Concern, it means we need to plan to be able to respond to the current and future needs and demand for our services.

An older population means more people who are isolated and lonely which will require visiting services such as Age Concern Accredited Visiting Services.

“There are also likely to be more people of this 80 year old age group being abused and requiring our prevention and intervention services,” she says.

Age Concern is calling for more government research, policy and planning on matters concerning older people.

“There doesn’t appear to be a lot of positive focus on seniors right now.

“Many people over 80 have complex needs but want to remain in their own homes with support. Government is aware of this and needs to make home-based care a priority.

“Those who can’t remain at home will need good residential care and for people needing acute treatment they will continue to need access to hospital beds and good primary health.”

Martin says these statistics also mean there is likely to be more older people surviving solely on the NZS only, which is difficult with rising costs.

“It would be wise for all of us who are not yet 80 to give some thought to how we wish to spend the latter year of our lives and to begin planning for this. Develop social networks and find out about local support services.”

ENDS

Media contact: Lucy Johnston, Communications & Marketing Manager, Age Concern New Zealand – ph 04 801 9338

Posted in: News, Older People and Aging, Politics and Policy, Research, Social Change ⋅ Tagged: , , ,

UNCRPD Monitoring Survey 2012

May 18, 2012 1:47 am ⋅

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability is a UN convention that aims to enshrine the rights of people with disabilities in law to ensure all people are afforded the human right to participate in their communities.

The New Zealand government has ratified the UN Convention and thus made a commitment to ensure legislation, policy and procedure to protect the rights of people with disabilities – including disability caused by the effects of a mental-health problem.

In 2011 a report to the UN was written by the government to summarise their progress towards this goal. A shadow report was also written by community groups in consultation with their stake-holders. There were some key differences in the perspectives of these two reports.

A monitoring survey has now been established to gather a wider perspective of how people living with disabilities in the community see things.

Follow the link below to fill out an anonymous survey and help the UN monitor what NZ needs to do better for people living with disability.

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9FPMX82

Posted in: Accessibility / Transport, Accommodation / Housing, Addiction/Substance Abuse, Asian Communities, Community Participation, Disability Issues, Families/Whanau, Human Rights and Legal Issues, Maori Communities, Older People and Aging, Parents and Parenting, Pasifika Communities, People with Disabilities, Politics and Policy, Refugees / Migrants, Research, Social Change, Young People and Youth Issues ⋅ Tagged: ,