The Human Rights Commission has been asked to consider if cuts to home help for the elderly equate to discrimination.

The cost-saving cuts to home help have been a source of anger for many senior citizens and was the major focus for Grey Power at its recent annual meeting.

Most of the 75,000 people receiving home help are over 65, and the Southland branch of Grey Power has now written to the commission asking it to look at whether the cuts amount to ageism.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said he understood that district health boards provided home help for their populations on the basis of assessed need, not age.