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Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has announced an essay competition for primary school students aimed at understanding youth attitudes towards older people.

“To promote positive ageing, it is important to understand the attitudes and perceptions younger people have towards their elders,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The essay topic: 1914 – 2014: The greatest greats and grands of the last 100 years, is all about inspirational or prominent older New Zealanders in the last 100 years.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has launched an information campaign encouraging people to protect their futures by setting up an enduring power of attorney (EPA).

“The review of the 2007 amendments to the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act found there is a need for clearer information about EPAs, which we’re addressing with a widespread public information campaign,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is looking at simplifying the process and reducing the barriers to setting up enduring powers of attorney (EPA).

“A review of the 2007 amendments to the EPA has found there’s room for improvement, and work is now underway to address the issues highlighted,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“An EPA gives a person or people of your choice the right to make decisions about your property, care and welfare if you lose the ability to do so yourself.

Older people are entitled to feel safe and live free of fear, says Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

Each year approximately 2,000 older people are referred to Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention (EANP) services across the country.

“Elder abuse can take many forms and includes behaviours or neglect which causes physical, psychological, financial or sexual harm to an older person,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew says the latest SuperGold recruitment campaign has achieved its aim of signing up more law firms. 

“In the last two and a half years the programme has flourished, with the number of businesses offering discounts to senior citizens more than quadrupling,” says Mrs Goodhew.

At the end of May, there were 641,911 SuperGold Card holders, and a total of 7,187 businesses representing 11,757 outlets offering discounts for cardholders.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced an additional $170,000 for two new specialist Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention (EANP) services, one in Wairoa and one in Rotorua which will also cover Kawerau.

“Raising awareness of elder abuse and neglect is one of my top priorities as the Minister for Senior Citizens. As a Government, we want an environment where older people can live life as healthy, independent, connected and respected members of our communities,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has today welcomed the release of the revised and retitled brochure, No car? No problem! Getting around your community without a car.

“People stop driving for a variety of reasons. Adjusting to life without a car doesn’t mean losing your independence and freedom,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has today announced that the SuperGold programme now has more than 11,000 business outlets offering discounts to over 630,000 older New Zealanders.

“Surpassing 11,000 business outlets is another milestone for the programme, further increasing the opportunities for cardholders to access discounts across the country,” says Mrs Goodhew.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew has today launched the Carers’ Strategy Action Plan for 2014 to 2018.

“Nearly half a million New Zealanders are providing care for someone close to them who needs help with everyday living because of a health condition or disability,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“Often the word “carer” does not adequately reflect the diversity of those who take up the role, the special relationship they have with those they care for, and the sometimes tough circumstances in which they live.

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.

International Volunteer Day every 5 December is an opportunity to thank the many New Zealanders who contribute their time and skills to make our communities better places to live, says Community and Voluntary Sector and Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

Mrs Goodhew marked International Volunteer Day 2012 by attending the Napier Connects World Café of local leaders, community groups and service providers.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is applauding the continued growth of the SuperGold programme.

“Older people I meet say they’re not only delighted with the savings they’re getting from the scheme but also that more services older people really value are being added, particularly in the health and wellbeing category,” says Mrs Goodhew.

When it was launched the SuperGold Card scheme had 188 businesses with 2,215 outlets. There are now over 4,300 participating businesses, representing more than 8,600 outlets, signed up nationwide.

The International Day of Older Persons next Monday (1 October) is a chance to consider the benefits our society gains from people living longer, says Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew.

The day, which is dedicated to the celebration of older people throughout New Zealand and the rest of the world, will feature a wide range of events, including intergenerational activities and events focusing on positive ageing.

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is welcoming the launch of a new initiative which will help keep older people safe by linking Office for Senior Citizens Volunteer Community Coordinators (VCCs) with Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs).

“This is a fantastic initiative and one that will go a long way to help older people feel safe in their own home and help Police reach out to those who are socially isolated,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“The first VCC to be linked with an NPT is now working on the ground with Police in Naenae.”

Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew is delighted by a recent SuperGold recruitment drive which has seen 2,000 new businesses join the scheme in the past two months.

“This is a fantastic result that has surpassed my expectations. The target I set in May of doubling the size of the programme over the next few years has already been exceeded,” says Mrs Goodhew.

“There are now over 3,600 participating businesses, representing more than 7,900 outlets nationwide, who are offering discounts to older New Zealanders.”