Health of Older People in New Zealand

News

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003

2008
Mental Health and Addiction of Older People and Dementia Project (6 Oct)
The Ministry of Health has commenced a project that will develop guidance to inform how district health boards (DHBs) provide services for people with dementia and people aged over 65 who are affected by mental health and addiction problems.

Changes to maximum contributions in each region from 1 July 2008 (30 June)
This gazette notice lists the maximum weekly amounts (GST inclusive) that a person assessed as needing long-term residential care may be required to pay for contracted care services provided to them and the letter informs those in long-term residential care of an increase to the maximum contribution.

2007
SuperGold Card introduced (29 August)
The SuperGold Card is a card for New Zealand residents who are aged 65 or over, or who otherwise qualify for NZ Superannuation or a Veteran's Pension.

It replaces the Community Services Card (for eligible cardholders aged 65 and over) and the Super Card. People who currently hold those cards will be able to access their entitlements through the new SuperGold Card.

There will be no change to existing NZ Superannuation, Veteran's Pension and Community Services Card entitlements.

For more information visit www.supergold.govt.nz.

Improving Assessment and Service Co-ordination for Older People - InterRAI assessment reports (20 July)
The final reports of the New Zealand Guidelines Group InterRAI MDS-HC assessment tool trial and associated independent peer review are now available.

Changes to maximum contributions in each region from 1 July 2007 (2 July)
This gazette notice lists the maximum weekly amounts (GST inclusive) that a person assessed as needing long-term residential care may be required to pay for contracted care services provided to them and the letter informs those in long-term residential care of an increase to the maximum contribution.

Largest-ever investment in health of older people - Beehive.govt.nz (2 May)
The largest-ever investment in care and support of the elderly will see $150 million over four years invested in residential care and another $81.2 million in helping them stay in their own homes if they wish, Health Minister Pete Hodgson says.

Looking at Long-term Residential Care in a Rest Home or Continuing Care Hospital - What you need to know (29 March)
This booklet provides information about the steps you need to take to access care and to determine whether you qualify for financial assistance from the Government to help pay for it. This March 2007 booklet replaces the earlier 2005 version.

National Workshop 2007 (23 March)
The 2007 Health of Older People Workshop was divided into three sessions titled 'Making a Difference', 'Perspectives on ASPIRE', and "Making it Work'. The workshop was well attended, with representatives from a wide range of groups. Copies of the powerpoint presentations are now available in the Events section:

ASPIRE research report (12 March)
The Assessment of Services Promoting Independence and Recovery in Elders (ASPIRE) evaluated three existing ageing-in-place programmes to promote older people’s independence and their continued ability to live in the community. The final ASPIRE research report presented by Auckland UniServices Limited in September 2006 is now available on the Publications page.

2006
Changes to Income and Asset testing legislation, 22 November 2006
The Social Security (Long-term Residential Care) Amendment Act 2006 came into effect on 22 November 2006.

The Act clarified existing policy around the maximum contribution, made some technical amendments and changes to:

the way overseas private pensions and annuities are treated;
backdating of financial eligibility for the Residential Care Subsidy; and
eligibility for the Disability Allowance.

The changes made by the Act are designed to ensure that all older people assessed as requiring long-term residential care are treated fairly

An Economic Evaluation of the Assessment of Service Promoting Independence and Recovery in Elders (ASPIRE)
The Assessment of Services Promoting Independence and Recovery in Elders (ASPIRE) was a prospective meta-analysis of three initiatives designed to promote independence and continued living in the community for elderly people (ageing-in-place).

This report presents the results of a cost effectiveness analysis of each of the three ageing-in-place initiatives to assess their cost effectiveness relative to the elderly receiving conventional health care services (usual care) in each region.

National Workshop 2006
Hon Pete Hodgson, Minister of Health, hosted a national workshop on the Health of Older People on 26 September 2006. The agenda, presentations and workshop evaluation are now available.

Changes to maximum contributions in each region from 1 July 2006
This notice lists the maximum weekly amounts (GST inclusive) that a person assessed as needing long-term residential care may be required to pay for contracted care services provided to them.

Changes to income and asset testing
Find out about changes in the asset levels older people can retain while still qualifying for a residential care subsidy.

Letter to Residents
This letter informs those in long-term residential care of an increase to the maximum contribution that comes into effect on 1 July 2006. The maximum contribution applies to all kinds of contracted residential care services.

2005
Looking at Long-term Residential Care in a Rest Home or Continuing Care Hospital - What you need to know
This booklet provides information about the steps you need to take to access care and to determine whether you qualify for financial assistance from the Government to help pay for it.

Note: The 2005 version has been replaced by the 2007 version.

Residential Care Loan Scheme
People whose assets are over $150,000 or the relevant applicable asset threshold in the Act and who own a home may apply for a residential care loan to pay for their residential care costs.

The formal Residential Care Loan Scheme policy was notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 2 June 2005, to take effect on 1 July 2005. The policy statement outlines the purpose of the loan scheme, the key eligibility criteria, terms and conditions of the loan, and policy relating to repayment, deferment and write-off of a loan.

2003
Asset Testing to be progressively removed
02 April 2003 - Ruth Dyson, Associate Health Minister and Minister for Senior Citizens, has announced the government will progressively remove asset testing of older people in long-term residential care from 1 July 2005.

Legislation was passed on 30 November 2004 to progressively remove asset testing of older people in long-term residential care. The Social Security (Long-term Residential Care) Amendment Act 2004 comes into effect on 1 July 2005.

A media release from Ruth Dyson is attached, as well as a question and answer sheet about the key changes to asset testing:

You can access a copy of the Act freely at the following web address: http://rangi.knowledge-basket.co.nz/gpacts/public/text/2004/an/101.html

A Snapshot of Older People’s Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation Services and Mental Health Services 2003
The snapshot provides the results of a survey of geriatric and psychogeriatric assessment, treatment and rehabilitation (AT&R) services and mental health services for older people provided by District Health Boards (DHBs).

National Contract for Aged Residential Care Services
The Ministry of Health introduced a national aged residential contract from 1 June 2002. This was reviewed and updated in June 2003.

Responsibility for this contract was been devolved to District Health Boards on 1 October 2003.

National Study on Care for Elderly Launched
Today, the Minister of Senior Citizens and Assoc Minister of Health, Hon Ruth Dyson officially launched a multi-centred clinical trial based in Christchurch, Wellington and Hamilton that will evaluate health services to older people.

The trial is being co-ordinated by the University of Auckland, and, with 880 older people participating, will be the largest study to evaluate health services to older people undertaken in New Zealand.

DHB Orientation to Aged Residential Care
Papers from Wellington forum on 12 September 2003

Health of Older People Provider Workshop - Getting Started on a Continuum of Care, 8 May 2003
Workshop handbook and presentations are available.

Older people's disability funding transferred to DHBs
A statement by Associate Health Minister and Minister for Senior Citizens, Ruth Dyson

Older people's disability funding transferred to DHBs (21 February 2003)

A presentation by Andrew Crisp on the transfer (devolution) of older people's disability funding to District Health Boards is available below as a PDF.

Andrew Crisp presentation (PDF, 73 KB)

Health of Older People Provider Workshop - Getting Started on a Continuum of Care, 3 December 2002
Workshop papers (abstracts, and slides or overheads, where used) are available.

Page last updated: 6 October 2008