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Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew says it’s not OK to pressure older family members into giving or lending money to cope with holiday season costs.

“Abuse isn’t just physical, or emotional. We need to be aware of financial abuse, and we need to be aware that family members are often the abusers,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“While many older New Zealanders are happy to help their family members financially, they should never be pressured to hand over money or assets. It’s OK to say ‘no’.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that the New Zealand Artificial Limb Board is changing its name.

“The organisation will now be known as the New Zealand Artificial Limb Service,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The name change comes after a review found that many people thought the organisation was only an administrative or governing body.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is pleased to announce that Auckland’s over 65s will now be able to access SuperGold information in other languages.

“We want more of our older people to take advantage of the benefits this card has to offer”, says Mrs Goodhew.

“The information has been translated into Chinese (simplified and traditional), Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Korean, Samoan and Tongan which were identified as Auckland’s largest ethnic groups.”

The steps being taken to make sure our growing ageing population remains healthy and independent were today outlined by the Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

Mrs Goodhew launched the Older New Zealanders: Healthy, Independent, Connected and Respected document to coincide with the International Day of Older Persons.

“This document outlines the services and support available to older people, and summarises in one place what is going on across government agencies to reaffirm this Government’s commitment to the Positive Ageing Strategy.

Projections on the economic contribution our ageing population will make over the next four decades show older people will have a more positive impact than previously thought, Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew says.

Mrs Goodhew today released the Business of Ageing: 2013 Update. The report updates research released in 2011.

\Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is delighted that the SuperGold programme has surpassed 10,000 business outlets.

“In the last 18 months the number of SuperGold participating businesses has nearly quadrupled,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The continued growth and success of this programme means that older people can continue to get real value from the SuperGold programme.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has announced the opening of consultation on the second Carers’ Strategy Action Plan.

“The New Zealand Carers’ Strategy was launched in 2008 with an Action Plan covering 2008 to 2012. The Action Plan is now in the process of being renewed for the five years covering 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2018,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The Strategy acknowledges that improving support for informal carers is important for developing strong healthy families and meeting future challenges of providing care.

Elder abuse and neglect needs to stop and it is up to all of us to work together to prevent it, says Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

Saturday 15 June 2013 marks the eighth World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

“World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is about acknowledging older people as integral to strong families, and affirming that there is no place for elder abuse,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The prevention of elder abuse and neglect is one of my key priorities and something I personally feel very strongly about.”

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew and Disability Issues Minister Tariana Turia are pleased to announce the funding of a new advisory service available to Canterbury people planning to re-build or renovate their earthquake damaged homes.

The Office for Senior Citizens and the Ministry of Health are providing a total of $99,000 funding to Enable New Zealand for a free professional advisory service on sustainable housing design.

Public feedback is being sought as part of a review of the 2007 amendments to enduring powers of attorney provisions, Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew announced today.

“The Ministry of Social Development has developed an online questionnaire and will be holding regional meetings to receive feedback on the effectiveness of the amendments made in 2007 to the enduring power of attorney provisions in the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act,” says Mrs Goodhew.