Age Concern's Dignity and Respect Campaign launched

Age Concern New Zealand
Media Release

2 October 2012

Age Concern New Zealand’s Dignity and Respect Campaign launched

New Zealand’s leading organisation for older people has officially launched a campaign to promote Dignity and Respect at Wellington’s Hotel Intercontinental.

High profile guests including the Minister for Senior Citizens, Wellington’s mayor and other dignitaries attended the event where Judy Bailey spoke about her mother’s experience in a residential care facility and how sometimes little things can make a big difference.

The campaign aim is for all New Zealanders to become Age Concern Dignity Champions and create a culture where older people are valued and included.

Age Concern National President, Evelyn Weir says stereotypes about ageing are powerful and need to be challenged and that in joining the campaign kiwis can help change behaviours and attitudes which devalue older people.

Three Dignity Champion Awards were awarded at the event, to St John Ambulance, TVNZ’s Hadyn Jones for his Good Sorts programme and Dr Judy McGregor.
Mrs Weir says the recipients were chosen for the work they had done to show dignity and respect to older people.

“St John did a wonderful advertisement which emphasizes the importance doing the little things to restore a vulnerable person’s dignity.

“Dr McGregor is the Equal Opportunities Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission, she went above the call of duty by going undercover in for a recenty report on the aged care sector, Caring Counts.”

“TVNZ’s Good Sorts programme is a fantastic tribute to the many, often older New Zealanders who make life better for others.”

For more information about this campaign, or to pledge your support and register as a champion, visit www.ageconcern.org.nz/dignity

ENDS

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