The Government is setting up a framework within which all its policies that have implications for older people can be commonly understood and developed.
Senior Citizens Minister Lianne Dalziel released yesterday "a positive ageing strategy" which sets out principles and goals in the areas of income, health, housing, transport, cultural diversity,rural issues, attitude, employment and opportunities.
"The strategy is a blueprint for central Government to ensure that older people's contributions are valued, that their issues are addressed and that we commit to an environment which encourages positive ageing," said Ms Dalziel.
"It is a living document with annual action plans for Government agencies and a monitoring system to check on how they are going."
The action plan covered 26 portfolios and showed how each Government department would incorporate the "positive ageing" principles in its everyday work.
Many of the strategies would take time to achieve.
"However, the obligation on reporting on progress will be, I believe, a much better insurance against decisions being made without considering their impacts on positive ageing."
The minister challenged local authorities to develop their own similar strategies and action plans in conjunction with their communities.
Goals in the strategy include:
* Adequate assistance towards the cost of local authority rates, and a look at options for Government assistance to enable low-income families to buy homes.
* Review of the relicensing provisions for older drivers to ensure these are based on ability, not age.
* Promotion of safety awareness programmes for older people.
* To eliminate "ageism" and promote flexible work options in employment.
