A new survey shows employers need to do more to help older people remain in the workforce and those caring for older people.

Listed retirement village operators Metlifecare and Summerset have both reported strong performances for 2016.

A new template document is making it easier for intending residents to compare each village's offerings side-by-side.

Former New Zealand Festival executive director Sue Paterson has been crowned Metlifecare Senior New Zealander of the Year for 2017. Paterson, a proud Wellingtonian, was recognised for her 40 years of service to arts and culture.

Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse has today announced new measures to stop employers who breach immigration and employment law from recruiting migrant workers.

At last year’s Retirement Village Association’s conference, the CEO’s forum discussions turned to managing the many and varied expectations of residents in different age brackets. It is not so much a conversation about the young mingling with the old, rather the old with the very old.

Technology is slowly changing the face of residential and home-based aged care. Should we be concerned? asks JUDE BARBACK.

While there’s no indication yet what the residential aged care subsidy will be for 2017-2018, there’s plenty to be discussed as the annual renegotiation of the ARRC (age-related residential care) contract between District Health Boards and residential aged care providers builds momentum.

The residential aged care sector says the inquiry into aged care led by the Opposition parties feels like an "attack" on their sector. 

Ryman Healthcare might have been given the green light to proceed with its massive new village in Devonport, Auckland, but local residents are appealing the decision.

Geneva Healthcare has purchased Presbyterian Support Central’s in-home support service business Enliven Central.

The New Zealand Seniors Party is proposing class action against the Ministry of Social Development, claiming the Ministry is illegally deducting pensions from Kiwis who have worked overseas and immigrants relocating to New Zealand in their later years.

A new campaign launched by union E tū signals a growing impatience to resolve the equal pay issue.

Heart Foundation GP Champion FRASER HAMILTON talks about atrial fibrillation (AF) – one of the fastest growing forms of heart disease.

A "world-leading" technique is now being used by a handful of District Health Boards to treat stroke patients.

The creeping costs of compliance and care delivery are pushing some residential aged care providers to breaking point. JUDE BARBACK questions whether the sector can continue to keep pace without a corresponding increase in Government funding.

Paul Couper has been appointed as the new chief executive for Mercy Hospice Auckland.

The home and community support services (HCSS) sector is crying out for more training opportunities like Open Minds, Open Doors, following the success of the popular dementia training programme.

When it comes to sexuality and intimacy in an aged care setting, how can staff balance residents’ rights with a duty of care? DR CATHERINE COOK and Associate Professor MARK HENRICKSON address a complex and sensitive topic.

The aged care industry has taken exception to recent immigration policies that make it harder for migrants to gain work in New Zealand. JUDE BARBACK looks critically at the immigration debate in the context of aged care.

Metlifecare has been hit by leaky building issues at four villages and is ascertaining if units and buildings in its other 20 villages need fixing.

Classic works of literature have been expertly adapted for those living with dementia and cognitive decline in an attempt to rekindle a love of reading in people who might otherwise struggle to read. By JUDE BARBACK.

Aged care providers have "little or no wriggle room" to accommodate the increase in minimum wage.

The Retirement Villages Association’s annual conference heads across the ditch to Sydney in June 2017. The theme for this year’s conference is ‘evolution’ and delegates will be hard-pushed to select a favourite fixture on the programme – golf tournament and gala dinner aside, naturally.

Two new qualifications will help provide solid pathways into jobs in the aged care, community support, disability and other healthcare sectors as well as professional development opportunities for healthcare assistants.

NZ Seniors Party Chairperson PAUL REA says we can expect to see MPs vying for public attention in the lead-up to the General Election this year.

In what is thought to be a New Zealand first, Summerset has opened a dementia care facility offering Licence to Occupy (LTO) apartments. The new centre, which is located at Summerset by the Ranges in Levin, opened its doors in November last year.  

Almost 250 stroke service providers, stroke teams, general practitioners and practice nurses from across the South Island learnt about a wide range of stroke-specific topics at the annual South Island Stroke Study Day. The event focused on enhancing the daily practice of stroke delivery and quality care and included the management of post-stroke depression, and the transition from hospital to home.

Dementia Auckland provides some timely advice on helping those with dementia cope during the Christmas holidays.

The Retirement Commissioner Diane Maxwell has released her recommendations for changes to New Zealand Super as part of her 2016 review of retirement income policies.

AgedAdvisor is about to launch a new tool that allows users to compare entry ages, purchase price ranges, deferred fee models and weekly maintenance charges. However the Retirement Villages Association thinks comparing these features is not so straightforward.

The eagerly awaited Health of Older People Strategy (HOPS) was launched yesterday with a fresh new name: 'Healthy Ageing Strategy'.

Dr Chris Perkins and Dr Michal Boyd are among the experts speaking at this year’s Gerontology Nursing Conference hosted by The Selwyn Foundation at Alexandra Park in Auckland on Wednesday 7 December.

Managing Director of Radius Care, BRIEN CREE talks about how our immigration policy is impacting on finding workers for the aged care industry.

The Government will update the Equal Pay Act to implement recommendations of the Joint Working Group on Pay Equity - however, the changes won't directly affect the continuing negotiations for an out-of-court settlement for the aged care equal pay case involving Kristine Bartlett.

Some people are naturally immune to the symptoms of Alzheimer's even when they have the disease, scientists have found.

A new paper investigates the issues around people who move to New Zealand and become eligible to receive NZ Superannuation.

Global healthcare group Bupa has appointed Jan Adams to lead its New Zealand health and care business.  

Forgetful Cantabrians have the chance to take part in a new clinical trial of medication that could help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.

JUDE BARBACK joined the discussions (and the disco) at the New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA) conference last week at Sky City in Auckland.

The Home and Community Health Association's recent conference in Wellington prompted rich discussions and debate around the issues at the heart of the home and community support services sector (HCSS). JUDE BARBACK reports.

After attending the recent NZACA and HCHA conferences, INsite editor JUDE BARBACK reflects on the collective challenges facing the residential aged care and home care sectors and what it all means.

Rest home caregivers and community support workers could be in for a substantial wage increase as a source close to the ongoing equal pay negotiations between government, unions and the aged care and community support sectors reveals the parties are nearing settlement.

ACC told home care providers attending the Home and Community Health Association’s recent conference that ACC was undergoing “massive transformation” in order to become more customer focused.

Home care providers have made bold leaps in the field of medication administration that could see national guidelines put in place next year.

The Government assured providers of home and community support services (HCSS) at the recent Home and Community Health Association (HCHA) conference that it would fulfil its obligations to the sector “in the near future”, however providers say they are fed up with the lack of progress on key issues affecting their sector.

A cute robotic seal, a dementia-friendly garden makeover, a sensory room, a staff hikoi across Tongariro Crossing, a rest home café, and a partnership with a local kindergarten all featured among the finalist presentations of this year’s NZACA/EBOS Excellence in Care Awards.

Attendees of the New Zealand Aged Care Association's annual conference were moved to tears and laughter yesterday when they were treated to a surprise performance from Billie Jordan's Hip Op-eration elderly hip-hop dance crew at the conference.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters took rest home owners and operators to task for being complacent about the current political leadership of the residential aged care sector.

Former Lakes District Health Board Chief Executive and Registered Nurse and Midwife, Cathy Cooney has been announced as the new Chair of the interRAI New Zealand Governance Board. 

Local Government Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga says the government will support the private member's bill which seeks to allow eligible retirement village residents to qualify for a rebate under the Rates Rebate Scheme.

If left unchanged, the Government’s proposed new Fire and Emergency NZ Bill (FENZ) could result in a significant increase in fees for retirement village residents and aged residential care home operators, many of whom are not for profit.

New research released during this year's Money Week has revealed many New Zealanders lack awareness about their KiwiSaver fees and returns.

Happiness improves with age according to 1000 New Zealanders surveyed for Cigna Insurance’s 360 Wellbeing Score New Zealand report.

New research has revealed that many New Zealanders underestimate how much filling their shopping trolley in retirement will cost them. But they also don’t realise how well KiwiSaver could help them meet those bills.

Submissions for the revised Health of Older People Strategy (HOPS) close in seven days.

GPs and other health professionals will have the opportunity to focus on improving the quality of care for stroke patients at a study day in October. The event will be held in Christchurch and delivered jointly by the Stroke Foundation of New Zealand and the South Island Alliance’s stroke workstream.

The number of New Zealanders dying in rest homes is set to soar by 84 per cent, according to a new report prepared for the Ministry of Health.

A report shows that the more stringent auditing measures introduced for rest homes are contributing to better quality care for residents, however rest homes say they need more funding to comply with auditing requirements.

Auckland Council’s portfolio of homes for older Aucklanders has received a major boost with today’s approval to redevelop the villages and partner with The Selwyn Foundation.

The Ministry of Health has released a draft Health of Older People Strategy for public consultation.  Consultation has begun, and concludes on 7 September 2016.

The residential aged care sector is pleased to see that a new dementia design handbook has been released as an information resource rather than formal guidelines.

The New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA) has hit back at suggestions made recently in the New Zealand Nurse's Organisation's (NZNO) magazine Kai Tiaki that a "top pay rate of $26 an hour" is likely to emerge as the Equal Pay settlement for care and support workers.

Liam Butler asks Hon Clayton Cosgrove, Member of Parliament and Labour Spokesperson for Veterans’ Affairs how veterans affairs can be better protected within out aged care and retirement sectors.

Up to 60 new palliative care positions are being established as part of the Government’s $76.1 million boost for hospices.

Scientists from Victoria University of Wellington and the University of Liverpool have been awarded more than $850,000 to advance a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.

A new online forum has been established by The New Zealand Dementia Co-operative. The New Zealand Dementia Portal is an interactive site where people can share, inform, argue, create and cooperate to improve life for people with dementia and those who support them.

The New Zealand Aged Care Workforce Survey 2016 is now open for responses.

An investment of $30.5 million over four years by ACC will support new and existing initiatives aimed at preventing falls and resulting injuries.

Researchers are calling for improved policy measures to support informal carers, following a new report that reveals the financial, emotional and social stress affecting many New Zealand caregivers.

Aged care facilities are concerned after an increase in emergency ambulance charges has come without any consultation with the sector. 

Liam Butler interviews GRAEME AMBLER, chief executive Epilepsy Association of New Zealand Inc.

Liam Butler asks DR JUDITH DAVEY about measuring quality in residential aged care.

Liam Butler interviews Associate Professor Health Innovation and Quality Improvement at The University of Auckland, SUE WELLS on CVD risk assessment and management in older people.

Aged care workers may be a step closer to a pay rise after recommendations for new principles for equal pay were announced yesterday.

Liam Butler interviews Robyn Toomath author of Fat Science.

Rest homes can expect a one per cent increase in funding following the 2016-17 Age-Related Residential Care (ARRC) negotiations, which have now concluded.

2016 NZACA/EBOS Healthcare Excellence in Care Awards are now open.

Yesterday, the Budget revealed an increase in tobacco tax. Here, Liam Butler asks Marewa Glover Joint Director, New Zealand's Tobacco Control Research: Is there any evidence either way surrounding e-cigarettes and consumers trying to quit who manage memory loss?

LIAM BUTLER asks retiring Metlifecare chief executive Alan Edwards, what are some of the trends and challenges you identify for our aged care and retirement sector?

A select committee report on a petition concerning post-quake retirement villages in red zone recommends village residents should be compensated.

Careerforce and Health Ed Trust (HET) have announced their intention to merge.

Radius Care manager BRIEN CREE says health and safety compliance has become so regimented that it hinders the decision-making of residential care staff and in turn the wellbeing of older people in their care.

New Zealand's ageing population is helping to boost a rapidly growing retirement village industry, however leaders from the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) are concerned about the potential shortage of housing for older Kiwis who can't afford to buy into the retirement village model.

Liam Butler asks HON NIKKI KAYE, Minister for ACC about policies that will affect older New Zealanders.

Liam Butler asks ANDREW BAYLY, MP for Hunua, how the Government is committed to older New Zealanders.

Liam Butler interviews NIC McKENZIE on making Advance Care Planning accessible to older people with intellectual disabilities.

Liam Butler interviews Louise Lum of Community Comms Collective on making websites user friendly for older people.

*Liam Butler interviews Occupational & Clinical Psychologist Dr Giles Burch.*

The Aged Advisor 2015 'Peoples Choice' Awards for Best Retirement or Lifestyle Villages & Aged Care Facilities were recently announced.

Radius Care Managing Director Brien Cree says romantic love is not confined to young people.

*Liam Butler interviews JULIE HANCOX Chief Executive, Assistance Dogs Trust New Zealand.*

Liam Butler interviews René Andre MNZAC on therapeutic space for the elderly in care.

The Home and Community Support (Payment for Travel Between Clients) Settlement Bill passed its third reading in Parliament yesterday.

Liam Butler interviews Dr Alastair MacDonald, Member of Ethics Committee at The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP).

As work continues on New Zealand's first dementia village in Rotorua, people will get the rare opportunity to hear from the founders of the renowned dementia village De Hogeweyk in The Netherlands, which inspired the New Zealand version.

*Liam Butler interviews Barbara Stewart MP NZ First about New Zealand's aged care and retirement sectors.*

Ryman Healthcare continues to expand its Australian operation, yesterday announcing the purchase of its third retirement village site in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.

*Liam Butler interviews leading occupational therapist Dr Elizabeth Pritchard.*

Liam Butler interviews David Matthews Chief Executive CCS Disability Action.

Liam Butler interviews health reforms researcher Ian Cowan.

A new national Health of Older People Strategy is currently being developed. The strategy will sit under the New Zealand Health Strategy, which is under redevelopment.

The New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA) has called on the Government to improve palliative care funding for rest homes.

It was an interesting exercise collating the contributions for this publication. We sought the opinions of many: politicians and government agencies; unions; retirement village operators and aged care providers; residents; and peak body associations for retirement villages, aged care, home and community support, and disability sectors all had their say about what will significantly impact on the future of aged care and retirement living in New Zealand.

Liam Butler interviews Graeme Osborne, Director National Health IT Board. 

Ministers Paula Bennett and Michael Woodhouse have announced the formation of the Pay Equity Working Group and say the first meeting of the group marks "an important milestone".

Thursday 19th November is Stop Pressure Injury (PI) Day. This year the New Zealand Wound Care Society (NZWCS) is partnering with the Ministry of Health, ACC, Health and Quality Safety Commission and First Do No Harm to bring awareness to pressure injuries and the effect they can have on a person's health and wellbeing, and has events and awareness campaigns planned from Auckland to Invercargill to help get the message out there.

Industry bodies, union representatives, government officials, international experts and education providers all came together at this week’s Careerforce Workforce Development Conference in Wellington to discuss a topic of great importance: the development of New Zealand’s health, social and community services workforce. All agreed a large, competent and valued workforce is required to effectively meet the needs of New Zealand’s growing ageing population, and delegates grappled with how to meet this challenge.

In a series of announcements today, the Government has outlined its intentions to address pay equity issues in all industries, as well as entering negotiations to settle pay rates of care and support workers.

Community Support Workers are a step closer to receiving fair and consistent pay for their time spent travelling between clients.

The Prime Minister is expected to issue a statement next week about how the Government intends to address the mounting issues around equal pay.

On this International Day of Older Persons the Financial Services Council says we should celebrate what generations share rather than what divides us. 

A new website for New Zealand’s SuperSeniors has been launched today by Senior Citizens Minister Maggie Barry.

It was mostly about technology at the New Zealand Aged Care Association’s annual conference, held this week in Auckland.

This month it was Elder Abuse Awareness Week, and the spotlight was put on how we treat our elderly as a community and what constitutes abuse. BRIEN CREE, managing director of Radius Care, explores the issue.

Retirement village residents are keen to see an end to the capital loss clause, and the Retirement Village Association (RVA) confirms the clause has “probably had its day”.

Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector* HON JO GOODHEW is impressed by *Elizabeth Knox Home and Hospital’s efforts to improve social integration of migrants through its volunteer programme.

Yesterday’s health Budget included an extra $76.1 million over four years for palliative care and hospices.

Future government policies will need to be flexible to accommodate the diverse needs of ageing baby boomers, a Victoria University of Wellington researcher has found.

Simon Wallace has been appointed the new Chief Executive of the New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA), replacing Martin Taylor, who left the Association at the beginning of April.

Home and community support services are under threat because the current funding model for the sector is unsustainable.

Low wages, high workloads and stress outweigh the love of the job for New Zealand’s aged care workforce.

A new Office of Social Services and more investment in data technology are among the recommendations proposed by the New Zealand Productivity Commission aimed to improve our social services system.

The 2014 Report on the Positive Ageing Strategy outlines how older people’s spending is expected to quadruple by 2051, while the workforce will continue to get older.

The ‘Ageing Well’ National Science Challenge was launched today by Science and Innovation Minister Steven Joyce.

BRIEN CREE, managing director of Radius Care, considers the fine line between profitability and maintaining core values.

Speculation is rife that the Government is preparing to legislate over the issues at the heart of the ongoing TerraNova v Bartlett pay equity case, feeding fears that the case will not result in fair pay for aged care workers as many are hoping.

A new interRAI report marks a milestone in how the assessment system is working for the South Island.

BRIEN CREE, managing director of Radius Care strives to set the record straight.

Shares of Arvida Group Limited today began trading on the NZX Main Board following a successful IPO that raised $80 million in new capital to underpin the growth of the new retirement and aged care group.

Radius Care Managing Director BRIEN CREE says the continuous under-funding of aged care needs to be addressed.

Associate Health Minister Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga has announced that full audit reports for all rest homes will be published online from today in a more reader-friendly format.

The Industry Training Federation calls for Government to better support training for care and community support workers.

ANNA DORSEY talks to Ruby Aberhart (pictured here with Hon Jo Goodhew) about her role of Consumer Advocate for the South Island Alliance’s Health of Older People’s Group (HOPSLA).

Bupa's GRAINNE MOSS shares sthe touching story of Bupa employee Kate Burnett and resident Mary.

New retirement village operator Arvida ─ previously known as Hercules ─ raised $75 million through an initial public offering and is expected to list on the NZX on 18 December.

*With the Bartlett v TerraNova pay equity case looking set to proceed to the Supreme Court, JUDE BARBACK analyses the twists and turns of the case so far, and the far-reaching ramifications for aged care and other sectors.*

One of the largest players in the home-based care sector, Access Homehealth, is set to be sold to primary health provider, Green Cross Health Limited.

The Government says it intends to wind down Health Benefits Ltd and shift responsibility for implementing the shared services programme to the District Health Boards.

Following a trial at Selwyn Heights retirement village in 2013, the Selwyn Foundation has now introduced four robotic seals – or healthbots - to promote interaction and provide comfort for residents in Selwyn rest homes.

Waikato District Health Board has teamed up with Bupa Care Services and the Institute of Healthy Ageing to establish a new research health fellowship in rehabilitation medicine.

While unions remain delighted with the Court of Appeal’s ruling on the Bartlett v Terranova pay equity case, it would seem that there is no imminent ‘quick fix’ discernible.

The Court of Appeal has upheld the Employment Court’s earlier decision on the landmark pay equity case brought by caregiver Kristine Bartlett and the Service and Food Workers’ Union (SFWU) against TerraNova Homes and Care.

A spat between New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA) and seniorshousing.co.nz, the organisation behind online publication NZ Aged Care Housing Weekly, has raised questions about an upcoming seminar organised by seniorshousing.co.nz.

New research findings on the employment of older New Zealand women is to be presented today in Wellington at the Ministry of Social Development, followed by a panel discussion.

Industry training organisation Careerforce has introduced a new Peer Mentor Programme as part of its goal to help facilities build a productive and highly skilled work place.

Getting away from an institutionalised approach to a more person-centred focus was one of the key messages emerging from the New Zealand Aged Care Association’s annual conference, held last week in Wellington.

It was its food that saw Ranfurly Village Hospital triumph in this year’s New Zealand Aged Care Association /EBOS Excellence in Care Awards. 

Marking the launch of International Day for Disaster Reduction, the United Nations and HelpAge International have today released findings of a global survey that reveal older people are often excluded or marginalised in disaster management planning.

*GRAINNE MOSS, managing director of Bupa Care Services New Zealand says most New Zealanders don’t realise they can do something to help prevent developing dementia. *

The health portfolio goes to Dr Jonathan Coleman, according to Prime Minister John Key’s announcement today of the National-led Government’s new Ministry.

The oldest Hip Hop group in the world, the Hip Op-eration crew from Waiheke Island, have won the 2014 Age Concern Dignity Champion award.

New Zealand ranks tenth out of 96 countries in a global index measuring the wellbeing of older people.

While the National Party can govern alone, the outcome of the election is not such a surprise, writes NZACA chief executive MARTIN TAYLOR.

A new player has emerged in New Zealand’s retirement village and aged care sectors. Nineteen privately owned retirement villages and aged care facilities are considering a proposal to amalgamate ownership under a corporate entity, Hercules Ltd.

The home and community support sector has welcomed the Government’s announcement today to support an agreement that will see community support workers paid for time spent travelling between clients and fairly reimbursed for travel costs.

Former Summerset chief executive, and recognised leader of the aged care and independent living sector, *Norah Barlow,* joined the board of Vigil Monitoring as an independent director on 31 July 2014.

Managing director of Bupa Care Services Ltd Gráinne Moss has been announced as a finalist in the women working in a management role category at this year’s Westpac Women of Influence Awards.

In new research released by Alzheimers NZ, more than a third of New Zealanders state that dementia is one of the things they fear most about getting older, with 15 per cent fearing dementia more than any other condition, second only to cancer.

The deaf and hard of hearing will be able to follow this year’s election thanks to New Zealand’s captioning and audio description service, Able. The NZ On Air-funded company announced that it will be captioning all political debates and live election coverage on TV ONE.

*Major political parties finally talk seriously about their plans for aged care in New Zealand.*

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has announced today that publication of full rest home audit reports will continue.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) today announced it will fund two multi-institutional teams to work collaboratively with Japan on innovative ways to improve elderly care through robotics and human assistive devices.

Oceania, one of New Zealand’s largest retirement village and rest home operators, looks set to join Ryman Healthcare, Metlifecare, and Summerset and list on the New Zealand stock exchange.

Ryman Healthcare has bought Tropicana, an 8.92ha farm in Lynfield, reportedly one of the largest privately owned blocks of land in inner Auckland. The land was owned by Bill Subritzky.

The New Zealand Aged Care Association’s election campaign, which calls for increased funding for aged care providers, appears to be gaining momentum, as various organisations lend their support to the issue.

First, Do No Harm is the northern region’s patient safety campaign with an aim to reduce healthcare-associated harm.

Winter can be a tough time both mentally and physically. Bupa Care Service managing director GRAINNE MOSSbelieves it is important to be more proactive about your health.

Preparing for the future and protecting ourselves through an Enduring Power of Attorney is important, says Minister for Senior Citizens HON JO GOODHEW.

With an election looming and funding levels still a concern, JUDE BARBACK examines the cracks beginning to show as residential aged care providers differ on significant issues.

Mere hours after the launch of NZACA's election campaign yesterday, came Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew’s announcement of an additional $18 million to be spent over four years.

Managing public perceptions and remaining innovative were two key themes emerging from the annual Retirement Villages Association (RVA) conference held last week in Auckland.

A new three-minute documentary, Today, from New Zealand filmmakers captures life inside a South Auckland rest home.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is happening on 15 June. This is a global issue that is not limited to any one gender, religion, cultural, ethnic or income group. During the month of June, Age Concern is running events to raise awareness of elder abuse and neglect.

MARTIN TAYLOR, chief executive of New Zealand Aged Care Association, finds very little for aged care in the Government’s “record” health Budget.

*The RVA’s annual conference heads to Auckland this year, where, following its much-anticipated golf tournament, it will play host to an array of interesting speakers and topics.*

Former Summerset chief executive Norah Barlow has been made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to business.

The recent Careerforce Workforce Development Conference in Wellington addressed pay and training as crucial to aged care’s future, as JUDE BARBACK discovered.

Although health played a leading role in Budget 2014, funding for residential aged care did not feature prominently among today’s Budget announcements.

*Ryman Healthcare has signed a 150 year lease for 4.2 hectares of *Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei* land in Devonport. Ryman intends to build a new retirement village on the site for up to 300 residents, that will also provide *rest home, hospital and dementia care.

As the Ministry of Health’s six-month trial of publishing full audit reports for rest homes online draws to a close at the end of May, the Ministry is keen to gauge how the initiative has been received by the public.

A new strategic framework for New Zealand’s dementia community was recently launched by Alzheimers New Zealand, replacing and building on the National Dementia Strategy 2010-2015.

The Careerforce Workforce Development Conference 2014, which will take place on the 20 and 21 May at Te Papa in Wellington, will bring together some of the leading people involved in the development of the carer workforce, and address a range of pertinent topics.

In this special supplement, INsite asked industry leaders what they perceived as the biggest challenge facing aged care in 2014.

*In this special supplement, INsite asked industry leaders what they perceived as the biggest challenge facing aged care in 2014.*

The Government has decided to begin negotiations for a sector-wide settlement over travel time for home care workers – a move that will be welcomed by many in the home and community support services sector.

Norah Barlow, who will finish her time as chief executive officer of Summerset on Friday, has taken on the role as an independent non-executive director for Australian listed company Ingenia Communities.

Researchers from the New Zealand Work Research Institute (AUT University) are carrying out a survey of the New Zealand aged care workforce in April and May this year.

New industry player, Remarkable Retirements has announced plans to build a retirement village and aged care facility on Stewart Island.

Last week saw the Government announced a minimum wage increase from $13.75 to $14.25.

Tony Ryall, Minister of Health and State-Owned Enterprises, has announced he will retire from politics at the next election.

The stomach bug, norovirus, has struck a number of aged care facilities in recent weeks.

Tony Ryall, Minister of Health and State Owned Enterprises, has announced he will retire from politics at the next election.

Australasia Ageing Investment Forum 2014 5-6 March 2014 Sydney, Australia Theme: 'Evolution of the sector to attract institutional investors and funding'

The equal pay case between TerraNova Homes & Care Ltd and employee Kristine Bartlett on behalf of the Service and Food Workers’ Union (SWFU) will today begin a two-day hearing before the Court of Appeal, after TerraNova appealed the Employment Court’s decision last year.

The Attorney-General and BusinessNZ will appear at the next hearing of the high-profile case brought by the Service & Food Workers’ Union and aged care worker Kristine Bartlett against her employer TerraNova Homes and Care Ltd for fair pay.

New Zealand’s aged care sector took a battering last week as the Herald released its five-part series on the various problems concerning the industry. The series confronted the major issues pertaining to aged care and generated much discussion.

Two Metlifecare Limited directors have resigned following the sale of Retirement Villages New Zealand's 37.7 per cent stake of Metlifecare.

Today the Herald hosted a live chat with Martin Taylor, the chief executive of the New Zealand Aged Care Association, as part of its five-part series investigating the state of New Zealand’s aged care industry.

Today marks the beginning of the Ministry of Health’s six month trial of publishing full audit reports for rest homes online. The full reports now appear alongside the summary audit reports.

People are concerned about aged care. As I write this, 3,800 people have voted in the New Zealand Herald poll “Do you have concerns about the quality of rest home care in NZ?” and 84 per cent of those people said, yes, they did have concerns.

The New Zealand Herald has today released findings of its investigation into New Zealand’s rest homes. The first piece of the series has been met with disappointment and anger from many within the sector.

The Government’s announcement yesterday on how a $20 million funding boost will help older New Zealanders stay in their own homes longer has been met with disappointment by the New Zealand Home Health Association (NZHHA).

The Court of Appeal has yesterday set a date for the hearing of the case between TerraNova Homes & Care Ltd and TerraNova employee Kristine Bartlett and the Service and Food Workers’ Union.

Metlifecare stole the limelight last week after infrastructure investor Infratil and the New Zealand Superannuation Fund agreed to buy shares in the retirement village operator and developer from cornerstone investor Retirement Villages New Zealand.

Facilities must have signed up for interRAI training by 31December 2013 in order to be eligible for funding support. This means facilities must have booked a nurse into interRAI training before the end of this year.

Changes to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008, which took effect Monday, mean retirement villages will no longer be able to take a cut when paying out occupants of units damaged or destroyed by natural disaster.

TerraNova Homes & Care Ltd has today filed for leave to appeal the Employment Court’s decision in the high-profile case brought against TerraNova by employee Kristine Bartlett and the Service and Food Workers’ Union. Bartlett’s case claims her hourly wage of $14.46 breaches the Equal Pay Act.

With confirmation of poor care delivery in one corner of the sector and allegations of discriminatory pay levels in another, the public cries for more transparency and fairer pay in aged care are getting louder. Change feels imminent, but what shape will it take? By JUDE BARBACK.

Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew recently announced that the Government will be trialling a new system giving people access to full rest home audit reports.

Over 350 delegates and 86 exhibitors flocked to the annual New Zealand Aged Care Association conference, held at SkyCity in Auckland at the end of August. NZACA chief executive Martin Taylor says it was the association’s biggest and best conference yet, with excellent feedback rolling in from attendees.

Summerset’s chief executive Norah Barlow has unexpectedly announced her decision to step down from the top position next year. Barlow has been with Summerset for 15 years, 12 as chief executive.

Ryman Healthcare’s Malvina Major Retirement Village in Wellington has come under fire for its poor care of a 69-year old resident with Alzheimer’s disease.

Do the record profits reaped by corporate aged care providers come at the expense of good quality resident care? SHANE CUMMINGS looks at retirement village profits, wages, and the quality of care.

A new resource kit has been developed to help educate staff in aged care facilities about homophobia.

A shortage of jobs in hospitals is prompting nurse graduates to look for positions in other areas, including aged care.

A three-day court hearing concerning discrimination in pay based on gender within the aged care sector concluded on Wednesday last week, but a finding is expected to take some time.

This year’s Retirement Villages Association (RVA) conference has been a great success, according to executive director John Collyns. “Some attendees have told me that it has been the best conference they’ve ever attended,” he said.

A string of home invasions and robberies of older people has caused concern among Auckland’s elderly. There have been seven attacks reported on elderly people aged between 69 and 97.

All three listed New Zealand retirement village operators have been in the media spotlight in recent weeks.

From 1st July, “double dipping” - when aged care providers receive two accommodation payments for an individual room, one from its district health board and one from a resident - will cease to be a problem in New Zealand.

New Zealand Qualification Authority’s national review of all level 1–6 qualifications will result in a smaller number of relevant qualifications that meet industry needs.

The inaugural Care Association New Zealand (CANZ) conference is taking place on 12th June at Waipuna Lodge in Auckland.

Pacific Homecare scooped the pool at the recent 2013 New Zealand Home Health Association (NZHHA) service and quality awards ceremony.

Health Minister Tony Ryall’s pre-Budget announcement yesterday that aged care and dementia services will receive a $70 million funding boost over the next four years has been met largely with support from the sector.

*New Zealand’s public health services receive the largest increase in funding in this year’s Budget, with an additional $1.6 billion going into Health over four years for new initiatives and to meet cost pressures and population growth.*

The New Zealand Aged Care Association (NZACA) intends to carry out a review of the aged care sector next year. With the government unwilling to support the initiative, the association will fund the review itself.

St John is looking to decrease the number of callouts to aged care facilities in response to unprecedented pressure on its ambulance service.

The roll-out of interRAI is becoming increasingly fraught, with a series of tense communications exchanged recently between NZACA chief executive Martin Taylor, co-chair of the interRAI Project Steering Group Chris Fleming, and Assoc. Minister Jo Goodhew.

Following the Southern District Health Board’s (SDHB) decision to exclude Presbyterian Support Otago (PSO) from its contracted home and community providers, the board of PSO resolved not to commence High Court proceedings against SDHB.

No increase in funding for residential aged care providers appears to be forthcoming, according to Parliament’s Health Select Committee’s report in response to the NZNO and SFWU petition to increase funding to the sector.

Summerset and Metlifecare boast substantial half-year profits, exceeding IPO forecasts.

Alzheimers Wellington and Elder Family Matters Ltd have formed a partnership to provide a comprehensive range of education programmes supporting quality dementia care for people living with dementia in the wider Wellington region.

Criticism that the recent revisions to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice are superficial have been sharply refuted by the Retirement Villages Association (RVA).

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson has made an important variation to the Retirement Villages Code of Practice 2008 to address the deficiencies of the Code highlighted by the Canterbury earthquakes.

The Retirement Villages Association’s (RVA) revised Code of Practice is currently under Minister Maurice Williamson's consideration and is expected to be released shortly.

Peria House's 'Bloke's Shed' took the main honours at the NZACA/INsite Excellence in Care Awards, recently announced at the NZACA Conference in Rotorua.

In a bid to streamline its processes, ITO Careerforce has created a new employer payment directly tied to TEC funding.

The IT vendors involved in New Zealand’s aged care sector have joined forces to form a new association: the Aged Care IT Vendors Association New Zealand (ACITVANZ).

Metlifecare’s proposed merger with Vision Senior Living and Private Life Care will create a potent new rival to Ryman’s position as New Zealand’s largest retirement village provider.

Hot on the heels of last week’s news about Metlifecare’s bold growth plans – which could challenge Ryman Healthcare as New Zealand’s largest retirement village operator – Ryman has announced record profit figures and soaring share prices.

A landmark agreement signed yesterday between industry training organisation (ITO) Careerforce and training provider Health Ed Trust (HET) comes as a welcome surprise following the fall out between the two parties earlier this year.

The board of Health Ed Trust (HET), the dominant player in health and aged care training, has voted to reject the merger with the sector’s industry training organisation (ITO), Careerforce, and will forge its own destiny without its major income source.

Yesterday, in a new twist to the fall out between Careerforce and Health Ed Trust (HET), Careerforce CEO Ray Lind sent out a letter to employers with trainees currently enrolled in HET’s ACE programmes.