Services:

• Enliven
• Family Works
• Real People
• Cranford Hospice

Media Release Nov 27th 2006

Presbyterian Supports Launches new services for Older People

Ageing in place – It’s here and it works! Says Lorna Cowan – General Manager Enliven. “Presbyterian Support East Coast (PSEC) believes that supporting older people to age in place through positive ageing services is the way forward. “

A recent body of research conducted by PSEC has identified the issues/service gaps older people see as barriers to ageing positively, and is now planning intensively to begin investing significantly in service development and partnerships to meet this need.

The  Auckland University (ASPIRE trial) has confirmed that;

Ø      older people enrolled with Restorative Home Based Support Services live 28% longer

Ø      are 33% less likely to require residential care when compared to usual services.

Ø      New Zealanders are living longer and 95% of us will never access residential care.

Ø       Increasingly those who do, are more frail and in care for shorter periods of time.

Ø       Choosing to remain at home has been and in some areas, is still difficult.

Ø      Disability in later life is a reality and choice related to staying at home is often down to the availability of appropriate services.

The Health of Older People Strategy is well integrated in to Government policy and responsibility has been devolved to progress this work to District Health Boards and Local Government.

“Our work includes the development of Informal Carer Support groups , Befriending services, an Information Directory, a Community Worker for Central Hawke’s Bay and Dannevirke and exploring a Certified Home Maintenance Service amongst other things” says Ms Cowan.

PSEC has recently launched its Enliven Positive Ageing Services. Positive ageing is a philosophy that recognizes that there are some things that are important to a happy, healthy life at any age. Having real choices and being in control of what is happening in your life based on what is important to you, relationships with family and friends, a sense of satisfaction and contribution in the things that you do and in your relationships with others, feeling secure and supported when needed, being as active and involved as possible.  PSEC has a Restorative Home  Support Service pilot designed for older people who are assessed as requiring rest home level care but who choose to remain at home and day programmes with a restorative/positive ageing focus.

“As our service grows, each new service will contribute to improving choices for older people who wish to age in place” adds Ms Cowan.

Enliven services are already reaching more than 130 older people, the equivalent of more than four rest homes! You will see our Enliven signage and brochures appearing around Hawke’s Bay over coming weeks,  

For further information contact;

 

Graeme Milne
Fundraising, Communications and Marketing Manager

T	06 877 8193 ext 712
F	06 877 4681
M	027 406 2251
E	funding@supportec.org.nz
W	www.ps.org.nz