Baby Boomers A Solution To Ageing Dilemma?

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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Baby Boomers A Solution To Ageing Dilemma?

Enticing baby boomers to remain in the workforce could help solve some of the aged care problems being created by that generation, says a private national homecare agency.

The government says it wants to encourage New Zealanders to look at the potential benefits of ageing baby boomers, rather than focus on the burdens expected in terms of the growing level of hospital and rest home care needed.

New Zealand’s most established private home care agency, Miranda Smith Homecare, says in Auckland and Christchurch, 20 percent of its carers are over 65, whereas that demographic was barely represented at all when the business began in the late 1990s.

Managing director Miranda Smith says in that short space of time it has become apparent that those reaching retirement age are fitter and healthier than ever before.

She says many want to remain in the workforce, their flexibility and life skills make them valuable assets, and at the same time it is becoming clear that the government will soon need to increasingly utilise the home care sector as a cost-effective alternative to rest homes.

Auckland’s Ann Coc-Kroft, 70, has been a carer with Miranda Smith Homecare for three years and says she has found it hugely fulfilling.

The former businesswoman says she didn’t feel ready to fully retire, wanted to do something useful, and is working 15 to 20 hours a week.

She loves the work and the people she is involved with and is in good health. “The fact that I’m working makes me feel younger.”

Mrs Coc-Kroft says she has no intention of retiring any time soon.

The Social Development Ministry report, The Business of Ageing, says demand for workers in the aged care industry is set to grow, and there are already concerns within the industry about how that demand will be met.

Ms Smith says there has been a noticeable decline in recent years in the pool of people available to work in the care industry and is finding more and more time needs to be spent on recruitment to ensure the staff are there when clients need them.

She says it’s pleasing to see the government is keen on changing attitudes towards those over 65, and that future decisions relating to the aged care industry need to take into account the health and cost benefits that can be made by using in-home care, and the workforce gaps that can potentially be filled by those aged over 65.

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