MEDIA RELEASE.
November 19th 2003
Grey Power applauds the Minister for Senior Citizens the Hon Ruth Dyson
for her assertion that elder abuse and neglect need to be brought out into
the open.
Grey Power aware of the extent of elder abuse, has long been advocating such a move as one means to effectively control
/ eliminate elder abuse.
The figures released by the Minister of the number of elderly New Zealanders likely to experience abuse of some kind,
some 13,000 to 22,000 is appalling, but indicates just how serious this pernicious practice is. Grey Power repeats
‘something must be done about it !’
Although a considerable sum of money is spent each year in contracting various agencies to combat the problem of elder
abuse, little is done except some written papers bemoaning the existence of abuse. We believe that there is little
evidence of the millions of dollars invested to supposedly prevent elder abuse each year, having achieved any effect at
all.
Ms Dyson indicates a number of changes in the health and disability sectors that may assist in the success of the elder
abuse prevention services. We hope this is not just a wish list.
Having had some dealings with the Hon Ruth Dyson, Grey Power expresses the belief that she is the right person to lead a
review of the legislative provisions regarding the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988 as they relate to
the Enduring Power of Attorney. The Minister apparently has some suspicions that the POA is being misused in some
instances. We support her in those suspicions.
Grey Power suggests that this Minister lends her talents to personally take charge of the investigation into the
effectiveness of the elder abuse prevention services run by the present providers in New Zealand.
Dennis R Paget
Health Spokesperson