Older people's care under spotlight at one-day workshop
SHARING ideas and experiences is the key to tomorrow's Ministry of Health-sponsored workshop in Wellington, aimed at
improving the care of older people.
More than 250 providers, planners and funders of health and disability support services for older people, as well as
District Health Board representatives, older people's organisations and Government policy makers are expected at
tomorrow's Health of Older People Provider Workshop.
The workshop will support the concept of integrated care for older people. For the first time since the Health of Older
People Strategy's release in April a range of service providers have come together on a national basis to showcase
community and DHB initiatives.
"We want to share ideas and stimulate thinking about health and disability support service changes needed so an older
person can access services at the right time, in the right place and from the right provider," says Ministry
spokesperson Judy Glackin.
"It's also a chance to help turn into reality the vision of the Health of Older People Strategy," says Ms Glackin,
Manager Health of Older People.
Themes of the day include promoting healthy ageing through mental well-being and positive attitudes, restoring older
people's health by focusing on independence and interdependence, and ensuring responsive services to meet their needs.
The various presentations will include a Canterbury-based programme on preventing falls among older people and a
University study on developing home-based stroke rehabilitation services.
Associate Minister of Health and Minister for Disability Issues, Ruth Dyson, will speak at the workshop as will visiting
Australian community services care expert, Associate Professor Lexie Clayton.
She will share her Australian experiences in developing integrated models of health care to effectively manage older
people, with complex care needs across the health care continuum. She is currently the Director of Ambulatory and
Community Services at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, and Executive Director of Ambulatory Care Australia.