Alexander: More elderly will be given marching orders

Funding for the elderly is a sham, United Future senior citizens spokesman, Marc Alexander, said today.

“This Government has passed the buck to district health boards who, in turn, have shilly-shallied on increases of funding for rest homes and private hospitals, Mr Alexander said.

“Ridiculously low pay rates with an industry average of $10.50 per hour, the Holidays Act, increases in doctors’ fees, electricity and food prices with no fully compensating increases in funding have meant that aged care facilities are struggling to keep their doors open or provide satisfactory care.”

“Already the Tauranga Aged Care Providers Action Collective is being forced to pass on costs to residents,” he said.

“Some providers are simply shutting their doors, while elderly Waimate residents have been denied rest-home care in their district because of a shortage of beds.

“Our elders are being forced to either pay more, live with service cuts or leave and go to where more rest-home beds are available. That means leaving their city or town, their families and their friends.

“The situation is dire and the health boards and government are just passing the buck.”

© Scoop Media