Grey Power has called on the Labour led Government to urgently honour a pre-election promise to appoint an Aged Care Commissioner.

National president Mac Welch said a report by The Human Rights Commission report, that an estimated 5000 elderly New Zealanders were being held in secure dementia units, with another 1000 in residential psychogeriatric facilities without their consent, could not be ignored.

The report, entitled This Is Not My Home, includes comments from lawyers, doctors, academics and a District Court Judge about residential care of older people when that care is provided without the person's consent.

“Situations such as this should not arise particularly in a modern western democracy,” he said.

Welch said the plight of defenceless elderly people in some residential care facilities dramatically highlighted the urgent need for the appointment of an Aged Care Commissioner.

“Labour made a firm commitment that, if elected, such an appointment would be made in the first budget”. With all parties in the coalition supporting the appointment why has it not occurred? We want the Government to honour that promise and make this urgently needed appointment.”

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