Key promises for aged care boost fall short
“The promise of better funding for aged care through more partnerships with the private sector if National wins the next election fall short of meeting the increasing cost of aged care for our frail, elderly New Zealanders” said Stephnie de Ruyter, Leader of Democrats for social credit.
“Given the rapidly increasing number of senior New Zealanders requiring residential care, it is clear that whichever parties form the next government must substantially increase funding across the aged care sector to ensure that facilities are adequately and appropriately staffed. Merely extending a helping hand to the private sector will not be an adequate response.
”Nurses in this sector are paid up to 20% less than their counterparts employed by district health boards. And caregivers are usually paid little more than the minimum wage. As a result, staff recruitment and retention poses an ongoing difficulty for residential care providers.
“Recent increases in funding have no doubt been helpful but the need is rising much more quickly than the funding is increasing. Neither this government nor Key’s National Party are promising enough.
“Our elderly are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect, to have their needs met in a caring, competent environment. For these expectations to be satisfied, the adequate funding by government of aged care facilities is essential” Ms de Ruyter concluded.
Published: September 2007