Waimakariri older persons’ views sought

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter

The views of Waimakariri’s older folk are being sought.

The Waimakariri Age-friendly Advisory Group is about to conduct a survey of the district’s older residents to find out what is important to them.

Chairperson Joanne Gumbrell says a brochure has been prepared which will be available at local libraries.

The survey will help the advisory group when advocating with the Waimakariri District Council, police and providers such as Age Concern.

‘‘We are going out to groups to ask them what they are requiring for older people,’’ she said.

‘‘People can fill out the brochure in groups, with their neighbours or by themselves.’’

The age-friendly advisory group was established three years ago to implement the council’s age-friendly community plan.

The council recently gave the group its blessing to continue to advocate on behalf of the district’s older residents.

Gumbrell said the group’s membership was being reviewed, with new members coming on board.

A new council appointee to the group will be announced soon, following the retirement of Wendy Doody.

A new chairperson would be elected soon, with Gumbrell stepping down at the end of the year.

The group was now being supported by community development facilitator Martin Pugh, following the retirement of Madeleine Burdon, who was instrumental in developing the age-friendly community plan.

Gumbrell said the district’s older residents were facing several issues including housing, health and social connection, digital inclusion, transport and photo identification.

The group initiated the establishment of an Abbeyfield Waimakariri charitable trust and was now waiting on the council to identify a potential site to build an Abbeyfield House.

‘‘If we can establish an Abbeyfield House it will help with addressing all of those sorts of things including housing, health and social connection,’’ she said.

Digital inclusion was a major issue, with the move to electronic banking.

Older people were often caught out with a lack of photo identification after they stopped driving or passports ran out.

One option was to apply for a KiwiAccess Card.

Gumbrell said the group had an important role in advising the council on how to best meet the needs of the district’s ageing population.

A population update in June last year found more than 50% of the district’s residents were aged over 50 years, while population projections suggest by 2048 about 30% of Waimakariri residents will be aged 65 years and over.

*Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.