Conference To Address Critical Issues For New Zealand’s Aging Population
Re-framing the debate about future wellbeing for older people and the impact of clowning in dementia care are examples
of a varied programme looking at the critical issues that are facing our country’s growing elderly population that will
be discussed at a conference in Wellington this month hosted by the New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services
(NZCCSS).
The “Moving Forward Together, Nuku Tahi - Hikoi Tahi - Maranga Tahi” Services for Older People Conference theme is about finding ways to cooperate and collaborate across different parts
of the sector, the different cultures together with tāngata whenua and different levels of wealth and income. The
conference brings together national and international speakers to focus on a range of issues with representatives from
organisations working with older people across the whole aged care sector. Rest home and hospital operators, home and
community support as well as retirement housing providers will be among conference participants.
International expert on ageing Professor Simon Biggs will look at ways to re-frame the debate around the implications of
policies around aging. He is calling for a radical re-think on the purpose and contribution of this historically
unprecedented gift that our modern world has given us - a long life. Changing demographics and changing attitudes to
ageing may require a re-think of the ways we address ideas, such as social inclusion and the contribution that older
adults make to society.
Changing demographics also mean that there are more people in the age groups when dementia commonly begins. Clown doctor
Jean-Paul Bell will be sharing his story of studying how injecting some humour and clowning in dementia has shown that
“laughter really is the best medicine”.
The conference is being held at Te Raukara – Te Wharewaka o Poneke on the Wellington Waterfront on Thursday 29 and
Friday 30 March, 2012.
Keynote speakers include Jean-Paul Bell, founder of the Humour Foundation and the Clown Doctor Program in Australia,
Professor Simon Biggs, School of Social & Political Sciences Melbourne University, Professor Chris Cunningham, Māori Health & Development Massey University, Right Rev. Victoria Mathews, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Christchurch, and Charles
Waldegrave QSO, leader of the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit in Lower Hutt.
Contact for further information:
Paul Barber phone 04 473 2627 or e-mail (paul.barber@nzccss.org.nz)
ENDS