Latest news with #AgeConcern
RNZ News
21 hours ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Age Concern branch cutting some services as survey shows
Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly The Wellington Branch of Age Concern says it has had to cut services due to an overall reduction in government funding and increased demand for financial help from service providers. At the same time a sector survey has set out the increasing need for support among the older population. A report by the insurance company, New Zealand Seniors, indicates that 2 out of 5 older people feel their quality of life has declined in the past 2 years. Financial security is said to be a major concern, with 60 percent reporting it as a key factor. The survey, involving 500 New Zealanders over the age of 50, suggests the situation is being worsened by difficulties in accessing timely healthcare and increasing social isolation, which is leading to a decline in mental well-being. Susie is joined by the CEO of Age Concern Auckland Kevin Lamb.
ITV News
2 days ago
- Health
- ITV News
Calls for the Channel Islands to follow UK moves to introduce compulsory eye tests for all over-70s
There are calls for Guernsey and Jersey to follow the UK's lead and introduce compulsory eyesight tests for drivers over 70. It comes after UK politicians are considering an overhaul of road safety laws there. The reported proposals include introducing mandatory eye tests every three years for motorists over the age of 70, with people banned from driving if they fail. Some across the Channel Islands say they would like to see similar legislation introduced. John Bichard's been driving taxis in Guernsey for 32 years and says he often sees motorists who he thinks demonstrate signs of failing eyesight. "You may not know or think you've got a problem but people from the outside can see," he says. John adds that taxi drivers on-island have to complete compulsory eye tests once they're over the age of 65, and there could be great benefit to others doing something similar. "I love my freedom", he explains. "I understand why people don't want that taken away. "Driving has been my life, so I would feel the same, but if I needed to have eye checks done, glasses, cataracts, whatever to continue driving, then I think you should." In Jersey last year, there were 409 recorded vehicle collisions - of those drivers, 12% were aged over 70. Optometrist Jacqui Ryan believes all people should have regular eye tests, but adds that the likelihood of developing conditions like glaucoma and cataracts increases as someone gets older. She says annual eye examinations after 70 should be part of a person's routine health check, not just their driving license applications. But when it comes to getting behind the wheel, Jacqui thinks the dangers are heightened. "You never know when someone is going to pull out in front of you," she explains. "You never know when that pedestrian is going to come into the road. "Low contrast - when we start hitting dusks and late at night - if you've got an early cataract, that can make things far more difficult for you to see." "We're not here to take your license from you, we're here to help you make the most of your vision and keep you on the road as long as we possibly can, safely." Others have their reservations, however. David Inglis from Age Concern says he feels legislation is unnecessary, with many people carrying out routine eye checks from this age anyway. He says we should trust people to know when they are concerned about their eyesight, as this is "is something that they have to experience for themselves". David adds: "People rely on their cars, and that is so important for them in terms of their independence. "They don't want to rely on family members just to do their shopping, they want to do it themselves - so we've got to ensure they get access as and when they need it." However, the UK is one of only three European countries to rely on self-reporting for eyesight problems that affect driving so the Channel Islands are in the minority. Whether or not the Channel Islands choose to follow the UK's lead remains to be seen. Guernsey's Traffic and Highway Services say they will "liaise with our counterparts at the UK Driver Vehicle and Licensing Agency about this and monitor how these proposals develop". Jersey's Driver and Vehicle Standards say they will also "review the details of the UK's new Road Safety Strategy once it is published", and aim to "align with national best practices". They add that "any changes to local licensing requirements will be subject to careful local consideration", including consultation with relevant stakeholders.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Otago Daily Times
'You've really got everything down here'
Auckland expat Deborah Hull-Brown has thrown herself firmly into getting involved in her new city since arriving in Dunedin two years ago. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY An Auckland woman who has moved to South Island is making it her mission to tell people how lucky they are to live here. After living in the super-city for 35 years, Deborah Hull-Brown, 72, made the trek south and fell firmly in love with Dunedin nearly two years ago. Ms Hull-Brown now hosts an Otago Access Radio (OAR) show Super City — a celebration of interests, events and support for seniors. "What I'm trying to do with the radio programme is say 'it's a lovely place to live'," she said. Ms Hull-Brown moved to Dunedin after her mother, who she had cared for for eight years, died. "I was thinking, 'where am I going to live?' "I can't afford to live in Auckland, I can't bear the traffic in Auckland, and also, Auckland doesn't feel like a community, [it] is a series of suburbs." In contrast, she had found Dunedin cheaper, with greater access to nature, and she had "discovered cheese rolls". "It was finances, but it was community ... you've really got everything down here." She had leapt at the opportunity to volunteer with organisations across the city, including Age Concern and teaching English to refugees. Super City was an opportunity to share her joy at living in Dunedin with others, she said. "[To] find out what else is going on and just share it with everybody. "I'm just trying to inspire people who maybe sit at home a bit too much in their 60s, 70s and 80s to actually think, 'oh, maybe I could go out and do that'." So far, her show had covered topics like wills and volunteering — she hoped to be a point of connection for older people in the city, she said.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Otago Daily Times
New resident spreading the word — ‘lovely'
Auckland expat Deborah Hull-Brown has thrown herself firmly into getting involved in her new city since arriving in Dunedin two years ago. PHOTO: STEPHEN JAQUIERY An Auckland woman who has moved to Dunedin is making it her mission to tell people how lucky they are to live here. After living in the super-city for 35 years, Deborah Hull-Brown, 72, made the trek south and fell firmly in love with Dunedin nearly two years ago. Ms Hull-Brown now hosts an Otago Access Radio (OAR) show Super City — a celebration of interests, events and support for seniors. "What I'm trying to do with the radio programme is say 'it's a lovely place to live'," she said. Ms Hull-Brown moved to Dunedin after her mother, who she had cared for for eight years, died. "I was thinking, 'where am I going to live?' "I can't afford to live in Auckland, I can't bear the traffic in Auckland, and also, Auckland doesn't feel like a community, [it] is a series of suburbs." In contrast, she had found Dunedin cheaper, with greater access to nature, and she had "discovered cheese rolls". "It was finances, but it was community ... you've really got everything down here." She had leapt at the opportunity to volunteer with organisations across the city, including Age Concern and teaching English to refugees. Super City was an opportunity to share her joy at living in Dunedin with others, she said. "[To] find out what else is going on and just share it with everybody. "I'm just trying to inspire people who maybe sit at home a bit too much in their 60s, 70s and 80s to actually think, 'oh, maybe I could go out and do that'." So far, her show had covered topics like wills and volunteering — she hoped to be a point of connection for older people in the city, she said.
RNZ News
02-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Pensioners pinching pennies to pay for power
Stats New Zealand figures show electricity costs have gone up almost 9 percent since June last year (file photo). Photo: 123RF Some pensioners are resorting to extreme power rationing to keep up with rising costs, turning off hot water cylinders for days at a time and heading to bed as soon as it is dark to save on electricity. Stats New Zealand figures show electricity costs have gone up almost 9 percent since June last year. Petrol has gone up 15.5 percent over the same period. Pensioner Sally told Checkpoint she managed her power down to the last cent - especially since her low-user fixed rate charge rose from 30c a day to $1.80. "The low user charge applies to people who use 8000 units a year or less, and last year, I used to use 4000 or thereabouts. Last year I used to, well, till March this year, 2700 units. "But there's no difference in the daily charge because like everybody, you still got to be connected." She said the Powerswitch website got her to change from Genesis to Frank Energy, saving $360 a year. "But now Frank Energy is quitting , and I'm going to be paying $360 more than what I just had for the last 12 months. "So it's really hard, but it's the one thing apart from food that I feel I can control, and I do that by turning off the water… I have a shower then and it stays off for three nights." Her bill last year was usually around $85 a month, but her most recent was $131. Age Concern Canterbury chief executive Greta Bond said an enormous cold snap in Christchurch meant some older residents would be staying in bed until midday to stay warm. She said the government's winter energy payment of up to $700 over five months was not enough to keep up with rising prices, and stories like Sally's were common. "We're seeing so many older people living in poverty, especially people who are on that solo superannuation, and they're really struggling to get by and doing so by severely rationing their electricity use," Bond told Checkpoint . "I was so impressed with Sally and all the strategies that she had to make her power work for her, but the fact is she's still paying quite a significant percentage more than she was last year." Some people were even eating tinned food cold because of electricity costs. Others were paying 80 percent of their superannuation on rent "and there's really not almost anything left in the remaining 20 percent to warm your home or even eat", let alone go to the doctor or - in some cases - even leave the house. "I think it's a really appalling indictment of our society when you have people who are older who are having these challenges to their dignity and wellbeing based on a few dollars." Bond urged people in this situation to reach out. "There are organisations who want to help, and I think people getting trapped in their own home by their own poverty and their electricity poverty is not a way to live." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
