Age Concern New Zealand supports the overall vision of the strategy, and the five outcome areas that inform its framework. We support the overall focus of the strategy on maintaining the functional ability of older people, maximising their independence, and preventing and delaying disease and the onset of disability.
We support the positive overall view of older people, their capabilities, and their lives presented in the strategy, and the emphasis on:
The contributions of older people to society.
The importance of removing societal and environmental barriers to healthy ageing.
The increased focus on the importance of social connection and participation as part of healthy ageing.
The strategy is an opportunity to plan for population growth and get the necessary services and programmes in place to ensure that older people are well served by government and that promote respect and dignity for older people.