2018 Submission
In 2018, the Foundation responded to the Government’s request for submissions for the development of a positive ageing strategy.
New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy Submission 2018
The World Health Organisation’s World Report on Ageing (2016) states that: population ageing can be viewed as a rich new opportunity for both individuals and society; that healthy ageing is more than just the absence of disease; and that building and age-friendly world requires a transformation of health systems away from disease-based curative models. Perhaps these statements from the report can be used to frame new thinking around the development of policy settings for people in the third-age.
1. Multi-Generational Environment
Although the number of people over sixty-five is rapidly increasing in New Zealand they cannot be viewed as a single entity. Unlike the 2001 New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy which focused on a single generation – the traditionalists (“Silent” Generation), this new strategy will need to incorporate the baby boomers (“Me” Generation). These two generations have experienced different contextual influences and have developed distinct core values, attributes, family experiences and approaches to work. Hence this new strategy will need to balance the competing tendencies of these two generations with an eye to Generation X (“Doer” Generation) born between 1965-1980.
2. Positive Aspects of Ageing
Gerontology traditionally focuses on the adverse effects of ageing and the unique needs of older persons. Whilst there has been much effort spent on the deficit aspects of ageing the positive sides of ageing that are sources of health, vitality and happiness have largely been overlooked. The principles of Health Promotion are continuing to make a strong contribution to the wellbeing landscape through their promotion of the Wellness Model of health. This model focuses on promoting interventions designed to enhance wellbeing in contrast to the Disease Model of health that promotes interventions designed to avoid, screen for, treat and rehabilitate from disease. The strategies for these two models have significantly different approaches to wellbeing – the former is positive, abundance-based and tends to promote thriving whilst the latter is defensive, deficit-based and tends to promote the notion that the absence of disease is the presence of health.
When third-age individuals are thriving they have a positive state of mental health. Not only do these flourishing seniors thrive, prosper and fare well in endeavours free from mental illness, they are also filled with emotional vitality and function positively in both private and social realms of their lives.
3. On-Going Contribution to Society
Article 10 of the Madrid Political Declaration of the Second World Assembly on Ageing (2002) states that “the potential of older persons is a powerful basis for future development. This enables society to rely increasingly on the skills, experience and wisdom of older persons, not only to take the lead in their own development but also to participate actively in that society as a whole”.
Perhaps the narrative around third-age populations could change from seeing them as objects of care to viewing them as agents of their own destiny with aspirations of pursuing an enriching growth-oriented life experience that enables them to make on-going contributions to society. For every one person who is happy to retire there are many who would rather be contributing their knowledge and experience productively to the community, even if part-time. Many do not envisage their sunset years spent in a city-fringe retirement village with a bowling green and piano singalongs.
4. RECOMMENDATIONS:
That the next New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy:
1. Is responsive to Inter-generational Diversity.
2. Gives the Wellness Model of Health a prominent position in third-age policy development.
3. Acknowledges and promotes third-age populations as a powerful source of societal development.
