Public applications for the Aged Care Sector Study are now open

Health Committee Chairman Sam Uffindell.
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

The shortage of care facilities for older people with early signs of dementia and other neurological disorders has become the subject of concern for MPs, who have launched a parliamentary inquiry.

Health Select Committee Chair Sam Uffindell said public submissions to the inquiry, which is part of a coalition agreement between National and New Zealand First, are now open.

The study will examine the current and future capacity of the aged care sector to provide support services to people with cognitive neurological impairments.

“The latest census data shows that the population continues to age,” Uffindell said.

“It is important that our committee does the work to examine a range of issues relating to the aged care sector, particularly for people with cognitive neurological impairment.”

The scope of duties includes:

• Appropriate services for people with cognitive neurological impairment throughout the care cycle, from home and community care to residential and palliative care
• Financing model, amount of financing available, including best practices and international examples of financing models
• Available resources and the capacity of the healthcare system to provide appropriate care and support to enable ‘aging in place’, including for priority groups
• The process of applying for financial and care resources
• Appropriate and Sustainable Asset Thresholds for People with Neurological Cognitive Disabilities
• The process of diagnosing cognitive neurological disorders and the impact of diagnoses on financing and treatment
• Projections of the future needs of people with cognitive neurological disorders

Currently, people who need long-term residential care may be eligible for government financial support if they are 65 or older (depending on assets and income), or if they are between 50 and 64, single and have no dependent children.

Uffindell said he looked forward to working with the public and colleagues “to get the best outcomes for our seniors.”

The application period ends on August 19.