Welcome to This Month for this month

May 2013

Welcome to This Month for this month.

We have an exciting time just ahead with Age Concern’s Always Respected, Never Abused campaign which launches next week, leading up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Saturday June 15.

Look out for our advertisements with TVNZ as well as in newspapers throughout the country and listen out for our spots on radio.

Local Age Concerns throughout the country have been busy planning and preparing displays and activities in their communities. Below are some examples of what is on offer.

Palmerston North: Age Concern Manawatu has arranged for the clock tower in the city centre to be illuminated with purple-coloured lights at night. It is encouraging people to wear purple on June 15. Other promotion includes distributing posters and resources throughout the community, as well as decorating front window of the office in Broadway Avenue.

North Shore City: Age Concern North Shore hope to hang a banner across the main street in Takapuna. It is also encouraging people to wear purple, as well as decorating its second-hand shop and distributing information and resources such as badges throughout the community.

Wairarapa: Age Concern Wairarapa has organised two ‘flash mobs’, one in Masterton’s main street and the second at The Warehouse. It is also presenting a free public talk on elder abuse at the Masterton Town Hall at 12.30pm on Saturday June 15.

Taupo: St Patricks School pupils will display and talk about their artworks portraying older people in their lives at a community morning tea at 10am on Friday June 14 at the Great Lake Centre in Taupo. Also, further north in Tokoroa, intermediate school students will present a kapahaka demonstration and then talk about the older people in their lives at a morning tea at St Marks Lounge in Bridge Street, Tokorooa, on Friday June 7. There will also be elder abuse awareness displays in public libraries in Taupo and Tokoroa.

Kapiti: Age Concern Kapiti is holding its annual World Elder Abuse Awarness Day Expo in Coastlands shopping centre in Paraparaumu on Friday June 14 to coincide with the street appeal.

Nelson: Age Concern Nelson is holding a fashion show and afternoon tea to celebrate positive ageing and raise awareness of World Elder Abuse Awarenss Day. The event will be in the Victory Rooms in the hall at the Trafalgar Centre from 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Wednesday June 12. Tickets are $5 and available from Age Concern Nelson at 62 Oxford St, Richmond.

Marlborough: In addition to taking part in the street appeal trial, Age Concern Marlborough will create an ‘information centre’ at the Forum in Blenheim – look for the purple balloons and listen for the music. There will be a display also in the Marlborough District Library and posters in shop windows in town. It has organised two free public seminars with both to be held at Blenheim’s Wesley Centre with afternoon tea provided. The first is Future Proof Your Golden Years – A Positive Transition from Home to Resthome Care to be held from 1pm to 3.30pm on June 27. The second is Taking Pleasure From Your Money – Protecting Your Finances, from 1pm to 3.30pm on July 24.

Tauranga: Age Concern Tauranga is holding its Purple Pamper Party on Tuesday June 11 to offer pampering for carers and older people. It will also run a second Preventing Elder Abuse public meeting at Mount Maunganui RSA on July 9.

Wellington: In addition to its involvement in the street appeal trial, Age Concern Wellington has organised two talks about elder abuse and neglect prevention, one at the Porirua Violence Prevention Network and the other at the Wellington Violence Prevention Network.

Counties Manukau: Age Concern Counties Manukau is holding its Cultural Networking Partnering Lunch and has invited agencies from Asian, Indian, Pacific and Maori communities which also deal with familes, family violence and elder abuse.

Hamilton: Age Concern Hamilton has organised a flash mob in Garden Place in front of the Hamilton City Council building. It is also involved in the street appeal trial with groups collecting at four different locations.

Hawkes Bay: Look out for displays with resources at Hawkes Bay Hospital, both in the main foyer and the Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation Unit. There will also be displays at WINZ senior services areas in Hastings, Napier, Taradale and Waipawa/Waipukurau.

Wanganui: Decorating Age Concern Wanganui’s building with purple ribbon. Displays around the city, in public libraries and at UCOL. Hoping to confirm for UCOL cooking students to make muffins with purple icing to be handed out to fellow students.

Taranaki: Displays in public libraries. Education session and sing-a-long over afternoon tea for rest home residents. Public awareness seminar combined with talk on financial abuse prevention at Taranaki Cathedral on June 14.

Gisborne: Age Concern Tairawhiti has organised community awareness activities at Te Wananga O Aotearoa on June 10, Turanga Health on June 11 and Kiri Te Kanawa Retirement Village on June 12. At Treble Court, they will have a display and handouts including purple muffins.

Auckland: Hopes to arrange for the Auckland Town Hall and Sky Tower to be lit with purple lights after dark on June 15. Media coverage.

Meanwhile, local Age Concerns in Hamilton, Kapiti, Marlborough, Napier, Nelson, Rodney, Rotorua, Taupo, Wairarapa, Wellington and Wairoa are all participating in the trial street collection for Age Concern’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Appeal.

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Top 10 tips to reduce the health effects of social isolation

“Knowledge about the links between social isolation, loneliness, physical health, mental health, and mortality in older people is being added to all the time” says Ann Martin of Age Concern.

The study highlighted in yesterday’s Dominion Post, which links social isolation to dying earlier is just one example. A US study showing that loneliness is a bad for health as smoking is another.”

“New Zealand research has shown that eight per cent of older New Zealanders are likely to be severely and chronically lonely” adds Ms Martin. “That equates to around 50,000 older people at risk of avoidable health problems, and early death.”

“The important thing”, says Ms Martin “is to do something about it. There’s no need to feel helpless. It’s about attitudes. We can all make a difference and work towards a future where older people live valued lives in an inclusive society. Here are Age Concern’s top 10 tips to reduce the health effects of social isolation on older people:

Older people who are socially isolated can make a plan to change their situation or reach out for help. Calling Age Concern is a simple first step.

Families, including children can make an effort to keep in touch with older members, and include them in social occasions and activities.

We can all look out for older people in our neighbourhood, and make an effort to get to know them.

Members of the public can consider volunteering for organisations like Age Concern that work to support older people.

Drivers and pedestrians can show courtesy and respect to older people who need to take a little extra time.

Businesses and organisations can work to provide a welcoming and accessible environment for older clients and customers.

Health professionals assessing older people can consider whether loneliness and social isolation are contributing to problems, and offer support as required.

Not-for-profit organisations such as Age Concern can keep abreast of knowledge about social isolation, and provide responsive and appropriate support services.

Local Councils can follow Tauranga’s lead, and engage with the “Age Friendly Cities” project.

Government and DHBs can provide secure and adequate funding for effective interventions that target loneliness and social isolation amongst older people.

Together we can make a difference.

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Age Concern New Zealand’s new board members

Adrienne von Tunzelmann - Tauranga

People over 65 years of age must not be lumped into one group by society, according to Tauranga public policy consultant Adrienne von Tunzelmann.

Ms von Tunzelmann, who has just been appointed to the national board of Age Concern New Zealand, said between 65 and 105-years-old, there is an “incredible range of situations”.

“That’s a huge age spread - the same as a newborn baby to a 40-year-old - so why do we class those 65 and up as one group?” she said.

“Also, the services which people aged around 65 may require are completely different to those needed by the very old.”

Ms von Tunzelmann said the issue of services for the range of older people is becoming increasingly important, as is the legislation and policies behind them.

“How society looks after older people is always an important issue, but with the awareness of an ageing population, demographically, it is a critical time for how New Zealand responds, particularly through Government and its policies which affect older people, and through the role of the non-profit social and community sector,” she said.

“Age Concern New Zealand is well-informed and has the capacity to provide research-based input to inform Government regarding policy, funding and services and how to manage an ageing population. It genuinely can make a difference.”

Ms von Tunzelmann will be one of nine board members to help govern the non-profit organisation which informs and advises on older people’s rights and wellbeing, and provides services including accredited visiting and support, elder abuse and neglect prevention work, and health promotion.

There are three other new board members, who include Jennie Michel of North Shore City, Robert Aitken of Dunedin and David Swallow of Kapiti.

“Another great strength of Age Concern is the combination of a strong national office and a network of Age Concern local organisations throughout the country,” Ms von Tunzelmann said.

“Information flows both ways and the experience of those working on the ground in local communities should be an important ingredient in how policy at national level is developed.”

Originally from Christchurch, Ms von Tunzelmann has spent 25 years in senior management in both social and economic policy, as well as law reform and legislation in Government and within Parliament.

However, she said moving from Wellington to Tauranga in 2001 gave her fresh perspectives on a more local and regional level and opportunity to develop her involvement in community affairs, particularly in not-for-profit organisations.

“I am constantly in awe of the capacity of community organisations to survive and succeed even with limited resources.”

Ms von Tunzelmann joined Age Concern Tauranga’s board a year ago, following a past involvement with the organisation through its services to her late parents.

She said her work with Age Concern Tauranga has been “extremely rewarding” and she is now excited by the opportunity to contribute at national board level.

Ms von Tunzelmann’s previous board positions include Pharmac and the Bay of Plenty Community Trust. She is past-president of the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce and a former chairperson of the New Zealand Women’s Refuge Foundation. She currently sits on the council of Whakatane-based Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi and also the University of Waikato Foundation.

David Swallow – Kapiti

Raumati Beach’s David Swallow joined Age Concern Kapiti in 2009 and has served as chairman since 2011.

“The former chairperson asked me to join the committee, one thing led to another and this year I was asked to put my name forward for the national board.”

He said he has real appreciation for Age Concern, the work it does and the activities it is involved in and that serving on the board is a way he can contribute further.

Mr Swallow has given more than 60 years service in voluntary roles including the Order of St John, Ambulance New Zealand, the Government Superannuitants Association’s Horowhenua/Kapiti branch and national board, as well as various boards and committees related to health and cancer and, earlier, school and community organisations.

Mr Swallow said a quarter of Kapiti district’s population is over 65 years of age.

“It’s a pretty high percentage here, compared with other areas, but we’re not unique in the issues faced by older people. For instance, it saddens me that many experience social isolation and loneliness as a result of difficulties getting out of the home and they may not have contacts or family nearby.”

He said this is where Age Concern’s Accredited Visiting Service can help and provide older people with face

to face contact and greater connection with the community.

Mr Swallow retired from paid employment in 1997 having worked for more than 40 years in Government service, with 12 years in administration, 18 years in industrial relations and 10 years in chief executive roles. He and wife Audrey moved to Kapiti in 2002. They have four children and 10 grandchildren.

Jennie Michel – North Shore

North Shore woman Jennie Michel – with her passion for elder abuse prevention - has been appointed to the national board of Age Concern New Zealand.

The former long-time health professional, recently turned creative writer, will be one of nine board members to help govern Age Concern New Zealand. The non-profit organisation informs and advises on older people’s rights and wellbeing, and provides services including accredited visiting and support, health promotion, as well as elder abuse and neglect prevention.

Mrs Michel had a 33 year career in nursing and management, in England and Scotland and later Auckland after moving to New Zealand in 1979. She first came into contact with Age Concern at a 1989 hui which led to elder abuse prevention work being established in New Zealand. Ever since, she says she has been committed to and a champion of Age Concern in creating public awareness of and promoting the organisation’s work in elder abuse prevention.

“I want to make sure older people know they have the right to be safe in their own homes and in the cases this is not happening that they have choices and what their options are,” she said.

Mrs Michel became involved with Age Concern North Shore in 2004 as a field worker and later an elder abuse and neglect prevention service coordinator from 2005 and 2012.

After completing a creative writing course last year, she has just finished the draft of her first novel, with elder abuse as the subject, and she has plans to complete a memoir and short story collection.

“All are about older people and the challenges they face just for being old, some based on experiences throughout my career, but all written as general fiction.”

She says she intends to continue her “new career” with an ambition to become a published author.

Mrs Michel is also a member of various professional and community activities, including the Waitakere Community Law Service governance team, Pharmac’s consumer advisory committee, and Cressida Health Group’s consumer advocate clinical governance team.

Between 1998 and 2001 she was manager for the Alzheimers Foundation and from 2001 to 2003 worked in managerial positions with the Human Rights Commission.

Robert Aitken – Dunedin

Robert Aitken is an associate professor in marketing at University of Otago’s Business School.

Mr Aitken first became involved with Age Concern in 2007 when he was co-opted to the national board for a two year term. In 2010 he was elected to Age Concern Otago’s board and has served as chairman since March this year.

He says he is excited he can again put in his energy and contribute his experience at national level.

“Age Concern is active, informed and practical. It’s good to be part of the organisation and its commitment to achieving a more inclusive society - and to help older people in particular,” he said.

“After all, a civilisation is judged by how it treats its most vulnerable people and here in New Zealand I don’t think we treat our most vulnerable all that well.”

Outside of Age Concern and his work at University of Otago, Mr Aitken is also on Dunedin City Council’s cultural and wellbeing forum and has contributed to the council’s branding steering group committee, as well as a board member and chairman of the Fortune Theatre Trust since 2001 and Aoraki Polytechnic’s academic board since 1999.

Previous service includes roles on the New Zealand Qualifications Authority advisory panel from 2007 to 2008, as Save the Children New Zealand’s national marketing committee chairman from 2004 to 2007, board member of the Cleveland Arts Trust from 2006 to 2007 and he was an external moderator for Creative New Zealand from 2004 to 2005.

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