Aged Care in New Zealand is comprehensive and has many meanings. It refers to the help and support given to older people in their own home, in residential care, rest homes, retirement villages, nursing homes, dementia care facilities, and more.<\/p>\n
New Zealand has over 640 registered nursing homes<\/u><\/a> throughout the country, with over 31,600 people living in aged residential care.<\/p>\n The average age of residents is 85 and most people living in these aged care centres still have strong family relationships even though they are being cared for by others.<\/p>\n As with care for the elderly community in many countries, in New Zealand this sector faces many challenges.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a comprehensive look at some of the key services aged care provides for people in New Zealand, as well the issues this industry is facing, and some of the top products now available to help seniors.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”485″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” img_link_target=”_blank” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default” img_link=”https:\/\/agedcarenewzealand.co.nz\/#issue”][vc_column_text]\n There are a wide range of key services seniors living in an aged care facility require in order to boost and maintain their quality of life.<\/p>\n Health and ageing issues such as not being able to hear well, feeling isolated and lonely, and having impaired movement or speech, or suffering from a stroke are just some of the challenges seniors face.<\/p>\n Some of the specialist services required in aged care in New Zealand include:<\/p>\n According to Hear-it.org<\/u><\/a>, the number of seniors in New Zealand who require help with hearing loss is expected to double in the coming 50 years.<\/p>\n It\u2019s estimated that over 22% of people 65 and older in New Zealand currently suffer from hearing loss, and this is expected to rise.<\/p>\n Leading experts have suggested that the New Zealand government should get involved in funding hearing aids for seniors because of this.<\/p>\n Quality occupational therapists (OTs) in long-term care homes help residents engage with daily living.<\/p>\n They do this by helping them perform tasks like self care and help them to maintain autonomy and mobility. OTs also often assist residents participating in leisure activities like painting or gardening.<\/p>\n The goals of an OT can vary depending on the needs of the resident, but they often revolve around increasing a person\u2019s independence, as well as their sense of accomplishment and purpose.<\/p>\n OTs are involved in planning and directing treatment and therapy, and can carry out assessments of living spaces in order to help clients adjust their environment to better suit their needs.<\/p>\n Psychologists are another integral component to resident care in seniors homes.<\/p>\n While psychologists don\u2019t play a strong role in New Zealand\u2019s nursing homes, they should in the future. Research from Australia<\/u><\/a> shows that psychologists can be key in helping to deal with behaviour issues in nursing homes. Their work has been shown to result in:<\/p>\n Experts are calling for an increased presence and use of psychologists in aged care who are properly trained to help seniors face their unique challenges.<\/p>\n Ageing can be painful and uncomfortable. Physiotherapists working in aged care help assess and diagnose residents\u2019 pain and their mobility.<\/p>\n Sometimes residents are unable to communicate in words due to dementia, a stroke, or some other health ailment.<\/p>\n A physiotherapist can help assess pain and determine what adjustments need to be made for residents, in order to enhance their lives and enable them to carry out their daily activities.<\/p>\n Rehabilitation exercises and movements that promote mobility are often used to help residents maintain their quality of life.<\/p>\n Some residents in aged care have suffered a stroke and need therapy to regain their speech capacities. Others are facing troubles swallowing and drinking fluids due to ageing and disease.<\/p>\n Speech therapists help both groups of people to communicate orally and be able to eat and drink. Capabilities can\u2019t always be regained but in most cases, the work of a speech therapist in an aged home can make a significant difference.[\/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”628″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”center” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][vc_column_text]\n Aged care workers in New Zealand, as in other places, face some tough challenges.<\/p>\n Heavy workloads, stress, and limited career growth are pushing many workers to call for change.<\/p>\n The effects of the pandemic have made matters worse. With additional health and safety precautions to attend to with older residents and visitors, many people are sounding the alarm.<\/p>\n Some sources say up to half of female medical specialists now report feeling burned out<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\nKey services in aged care\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Audiologists<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Occupational therapists<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Psychologists<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Physiotherapists<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Speech therapists<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Key aged care industry issues\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n