Alzheimers NZ welcomes the Age-proofing Aotearoa report’s call for greater attention to New Zealand’s ageing population and the future need for more aged care beds. That’s undeniably true, but the more pressing challenge is ensuring that older New Zealanders can live safely, comfortably, and affordably at home for as long as possible.

What we need most is more affordable, accessible housing designed for ageing in place. Homes that allow people to remain connected to their communities and maintain their independence even as their care needs grow.

This is particularly vital given the rapid rise in the number of people with who will be living with dementia. Three New Zealanders develop dementia every hour, a figure expected to climb to four every hour by 2050.

Most people with dementia live at home for most of the time they have the condition. Providing the means for them to do so, through housing that’s dementia-friendly and communities that are supported by dementia services, is not only far more humane and socially acceptable, but also far less expensive than residential or hospital-based care.

The report’s Executive Summary states “Alongside facility-based care, stronger investment in home and community support services would allow more people to ‘age in place’, delaying or avoiding costly residential care and, in turn, reducing demand on over-stretched hospitals”. Very true. And very practical. And exactly what Alzheimers NZ has been saying for many years.

For more information and data on the realities of people living with dementia in the community, see Alzheimers New Zealand’s website at alzheimers.org.nz.

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