AGING POSITIVELY:
GROWING OLD ON THE BARRIER
The Aotea Family Support Group is involved in the lives of many elderly people on Great
Barrier Island through our home help and social programmes, as well as offering transport
and crisis support. To understand the situation and needs of this age group better, written
surveys and a series of representative interviews were carried out in the second half of 2013,
asking, are we ‘aging positively’ on GBI?
THE NATIONAL POSITIVE AGING STRATEGY
The questions in the surveys were oriented by the National Positive Aging Strategy. The aim
of this strategy is to improve opportunities for older people to participate in the community
in the ways that they choose. A prime function of the Office for Senior Citizens is to promote
and monitor the Positive Ageing Strategy as well as providing services to the Minister for
Senior Citizens. It incorporates broad principles to guide the development of policies and
services from a wide range of government and non-government agencies and identifies key
areas that contribute to positive ageing.
So, for instance, the 2009 Long Term Council Community Plan of Marlborough incorporated
this vision "A community where people can age positively, where older people are valued for
their experience, wisdom and character, and where they are recognised as an integral part
of families and communities.” Marlborough not only shares trends of improving health care
and the baby boomer generation entering retirement but is also a retirement destination of
choice and therefore offers some parallels with GBI.
RESEARCH FINDINGS
BACKGROUND: A RAPIDLY AGING POPULATION
Over the past 3 census surveys, the resident population has remained relatively constant,
within 10% of 965, more or less the margin of error. But there has been a marked shift in the
age distribution which according to Statistics NZ will continue to be seen as an increase of
older people. (Compare also AFSG Residents Survey 2013)
The number of residents in advanced years is rapidly increasing. According to census data,
the population of pensioner age doubled between 2001 and 2013. Meanwhile, median age
has also been steeply increasing, from 41.8 in 2001, past 48.5 in 2006 to 53.9 in 2013, rising
as if the resident population had remained static during that period. That is to say, half the
resident population is over 54 years old.
And the Over 65s have more than doubled in little more than a decade, from counting 93,
past 144, to reach 210 during that same period. That means, that another 250 or so will be
Over 65 within a decade.
THIS SURVEY, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
The research was aimed at people over 60 resident on GBI. There were two parts, one was a
mail out survey to all seniors on the AFSG database. The second was a series of 20 face-toface interviews with a representative cross-section of residents, that is as diverse as possible
in terms of geography, ethnicity, financially, and living situation as achievable.
The survey was sent out to all on the mailing list for the Over 60s invites, about 120, as well
as another 30 seniors also on the database.
55 people responded, representing perhaps 20-30% of permanent residents of the over 60
age group. Only 4 identified themselves as partly or wholly Maori.
Three respondents under 60 were excluded, since low number of responses made the data
for that age bracket statistically ambiguous.
While the age breakdown is not quite representative when compared to the census data, it
remains very valuable data. No age group is disproportionally represented. It is therefore
possible to compare how different age groups rated the questions posed.
RESPONDENTS PROFILE
Male and females were equally divided, ages were spread out but Maori were
underrepresented.
FINDINGS
GBI IS A RESIDENCE OF CHOICE FOR MOST AGED PEOPLE, BUT THEY ARE NOT RECENT COMERS.
80% of respondents have lived on GBI for over 10 years. At least 75% have spent most of
their lives elsewhere. But a little over 20% have been on the island at least 4 decades.
MOST LIVE ALONE BUT DO FEEL SUPPORTED
Over 50% live alone and most of the remainder live with a partner. Only 2 had a house mate
and another 2 lived with family.
Twenty out of 55 respondents consider themselves in need of part-time assistance to get by
rather than living independently.
Nearly two in three of the respondents living alone consider themselves supported, that is
with a neighbour or relative to call on for help. However, nearly 20% do consider themselves
unsupported.
LACK OF TRANSPORT AFFECTS A SMALL PROPORTION OF RESIDENTS
Of all survey respondents, 13% felt in need of support to get around. Of the people
interviewed, 70% had own transport but most felt need for bus service on island, with the
use of the Gold Card for all travel including on / off island travel.
SOME ARE RETIRING EARLY , OTHERS ARE WORKING LONGER
15% report to still be working to earn money, but this drops to below 5% by the time the
official retirement age is reached. More than half of respondents 60-65 effectively have
retired early, since they are not earning more than 20% from working. A quarter of those
between 65 and 70 continue to work, but by age 70 the number becomes statistically
insignificant. Everybody that was interviewed had income they could survive on but some
struggled with mortgage and living expenses.
BY 70 STAYING HEALTHY BECOMES CHALLENGING FOR MOST
Chronic health issues are of concern to senior residents. Twice as many reported having to
deal with chronic health issues as those that did not. There is a marked increase in
respondents over 70 reporting chronic health issues.
THERE WILL BE INCREASING PRESSURE ON HEALTH PROVIDERS
Half of people over 65 and at least 75% of those over 70 experience health problems
requiring medical assistance. 150 will have on-going health problems needing assistance.
AGING RESIDENTS ARE DISTRESSED BY THE NEED TO MOVE OFF THE ISLAND
90% of individuals interviewed wished there was a retirement village on island that if they
were no longer able to stay in their own homes through health needs. At present people have
had no option but to leave island and this can be very distressing.
PRELIMINARY RESULTS FROM THE 2013 RESIDENTS SURVEY
A 25 question survey in November 2013 went to all postal addresses, and 170 were returned.
HOME OWNERSHIP:
rented
owned
freehold
other
AFFORDABILITY:
Affordable
Expensive
17%
23%
50%
6%
HIGHSCHOOL OPTIONS:
Correspond
Boarding
Lodged
Move
33%
36%
41%
35%
CHILDCARE WANTED :
62%
11%
Play centre
Kindergarten
Montessory
Steiner
Child care
Private
15%
23%
23%
15%
21%
23%
RETIREMENT:
77% plan to retire n GBI.
RETIREMENT OPTIONS:
Own home
With family
Rented
Serviced unit
Rest home
Ret village
75%
8%
9%
6%
3%
16%
THE NEW ZEALAND POSITIVE AGEING STRATEGY
The 1999 International Year of Older Persons prompted the development of a New Zealand
strategy promoting the value of older people. The Strategy’s 10 goals are used by central and
local government agencies to develop their own action plans to improve the wellbeing of
older people.
“To achieve the vision of a society where people can age positively means directing our
collective efforts towards achieving identified positive ageing goals.”
The New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy identifies ten goals:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Income – secure and adequate income for older people
Health – equitable, timely, affordable and accessible health services for older people
Housing – affordable and appropriate housing options for older people
Transport – affordable and accessible transport options for older people
Ageing in the Community – older people feel safe and secure and can age in the
community
6. Cultural Diversity – a range of culturally appropriate services allows choices for older
people
7. Rural Services – older people living in rural communities are not disadvantaged when
accessing services
8. Positive Attitudes – people of all ages have positive attitudes to ageing and older
people
9. Employment Opportunities – elimination of ageism and the promotion of flexible
work options
10.Opportunities for Personal Growth and Participation – increasing opportunities for
personal growth and community participation
(www.msd.gvt.nz)