 Season's Greetings
Like most social service agencies, we find the holiday season provides 'the best of times' as well as 'the worst of times.'
For some older people, the pleasures of family, food and celebration are blighted by social isolation, low income, health or mobility issues, and elder abuse and neglect.
At the Christmas Meeting of our SeniorVoice coffee group, we asked for their Santa wish list. Their wishes are firmly grouped around the 'Big 4 ' concerns for seniors: respect for older people, health, adequate income and someone to share Christmas with. The poll on our website asks the same questions, and the last time I looked, reflected  similar priorities.
Our role serving the needs of older people comes into focus at times of the year like this, so as we enjoy holidays – or at least a short break – we invite you to think of the older people in your life and in our communities, and share the joy of Christmas with them, and to continue your support for older people's wellbeing throughout the New Year.
-Liz Baxendine, National President
Volunteering is a win/win
The holiday season can also be a time of isolation and loneliness...
However, volunteers are helping older people to be healthier and happier through a successful Age Concern programme.
The Accredited Visiting Service Ratonga Torotoro Whaimana (AVS) provides regular visits to older people who need more company, in communities across the country.
“Our volunteers are aged from 18 to over 90. Last year, they made over 69,000 visits to older people who have become lonely or socially isolated and want more company," chief  executive Ann Martin says.
"It's important work because chronic loneliness is a health issue," "Recent UK research shows that loneliness makes older people ill. It also makes them more vulnerable to abuse and neglect, and more likely to enter rest home care."
> LINK to our AVS pages
> MORE about health issues on our website
More dental help needed
We hoped the first survey of the state of Kiwis' teeth in twenty years would be headline news, but we were disappointed with the media response…
The Ministry of Health survey shows that more older people are keeping their natural teeth into older age. However, the cost of going to the dentist is blighting that good news story.
Liz Baxendine says "most seniors get no help with dental bills, and many are struggling to pay for treatment. The problem will get worse as increasing numbers enter later life with expensive-to-maintain fillings and partial dentures.
"We're delighted to see that the percentage of older people (65-74) having regular check-ups has doubled in twenty years (it's now 47 percent), rather than just crisis visits. But check-ups aren't much help, when older people tell us they then can't pay for the treatments their dentists recommend."
Age Concern says lifelong dental care subsidies should be available, and is also urging dentists to provide SuperGold Card discounts.
Ø VISIT our website to get fuller discussion of the issues
New electricity authority faces its first challenge
Electricity wholesale prices have shot up this month. This means that retail electricity prices will rise soon, the Domestic Energy User's Network warns.
The prices rose this month to almost three times the benchmark price. The new Electricity Authority is supposed to be able to put controls on the generators’ ability to jack up prices – but only after extensive consultation.
"In the meantime we will have to rely on Ministerial pressure to force wholesale prices back to a reasonable level."
As a member of DEUN, we call on the Minister to instruct the Electricity Authority to calculate the likely effect on domestic power bills of the recent high spot prices.
Ø Age Concern is a founder-member of DEUN
See our information – below the box– for people considering  volunteering.
Mark your diary…
Holiday Hours.
Age Concern New Zealand's national office closes 5pm on Thursday 23 December and re-opens Wednesday 5 January 2011.
Ask local Age Concerns for their hours, and emergency service arrangements.
> CONTACT your local Age Concern
Volunteers are Vital
Our newest information sheet discusses the benefits of becoming a volunteer, and how to find a mutually beneficial organisation.
“When you stop paid work you have time to look around and you realise there are lots of things to do out there. It’s a great opportunity to stretch yourself and try things you’ve never done before, whether it’s teaching children to read, planting trees, or having a governance role in a community organisation."
– Liz Baxendine, President of Age Concern New Zealand.
At least one-third of older people are involved in voluntary work. Older people bring valuable life experience and skills to their work.
Volunteering in older age can also take the form of additional social responsibility with older people asked to take on leadership roles as Kaumatua, advisers, and mentors. The knowledge and experience of a lifetime is shared with younger generations, or with an organisation, enabling maintenance, change and growth.
The benefits of volunteering include:
- a sense of wellbeing and usefulness
- involvement with other people
- mental and physical activity
- using expertise and knowledge
- developing skills
- involvement in an area of interest or a hobby
- the chance to try something new.
How do I become a volunteer?
- Talk to Age Concern – help is always welcomed
- Rest homes often need volunteers for example to spend time with an older person who might be lonely.
- Offer your time to a local school.
- Men’s sheds make items for the local community – ask Age Concern if there’s one near you.
- Check out www.volunteeringnz.org.nz where you can search for volunteer opportunities
- There may be a volunteer centre in your local community.
- Citizens Advice Bureaux can suggest possible avenues.
- Check out organisations that interest you on the internet or contact them directly.
- Talk to friends and family about what they do.
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