423
1
With the number of over-65-year-olds in Aotearoa set to hit the million mark by 2029, many of us will already know someone with
dementia. It’s a sure bet, too, that we’ll be coming across the work of Dr Etuini Ma‘u, an old age psychiatrist, dementia researcher, and
senior lecturer in psychological medicine at the University of Auckland.
Here he is talking to Dale Husband, about why we should be thinking about our brain health now.]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/423/Screenshot-2026-03-31-143449.png
url
https://e-tangata.co.nz/korero/etuini-mau-taking-care-of-our-brains/
2026-03-31 01:39:18
422
1
Key points
- Aging stereotypes are common, developing very early in life.
- Common aging mindsets involve health, financial success, appearance, and senior living communities.
- People with more flexible thinking styles typically push through these stereotypes and thrive.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/422/Screenshot-2026-03-31-092734.png
url
https://www.psychologytoday.com/nz/blog/human-kind/202603/debunking-stereotypes-about-aging/amp
2026-03-30 20:32:53
421
1
The Mediterranean diet –
rich in olive oil, fish, vegetables and legumes – has long been linked to better heart health. Growing evidence suggests it may also help
support brain health as we age, with a brain-focused variation of the diet drawing increasing scientific attention.
It is called the Mind diet. The name stands for Mediterranean-Dash
Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay – though what matters more than the acronym is what it actually involves: plenty of green
vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts, berries, poultry and fish, with olive oil as the main cooking fat, and limited amounts of red meat,
butter, cheese, fried food and sweets. It combines the most brain-friendly elements of two well-studied eating patterns: the traditional
Mediterranean diet and the Dash diet, which was originally developed to lower blood pressure.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/421/Screenshot-2026-03-30-155635.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbeing/the-mind-diet-could-help-keep-your-brain-sharp-as-you-age
2026-03-30 02:59:46
419
1
The final session of the course run by Age Concern Auckland is being staged today, March 27, from 1.30pm to 3pm at Botany Library.
Age Concern Auckland’s social connections co-ordinator, Shalini Gulani, says: “What began with just 13 participants quickly expanded to 20
within a week, as word spread about the programme’s supportive and energising environment.
“Over the course of six weeks, participants were guided through the fundamentals of smartphone use.
“Sessions covered essential skills such as adjusting settings, connecting to wi-fi, using hotspots and Bluetooth, making calls, and sending
messages.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/419/Screenshot-2026-03-27-102016.png
url
https://www.times.co.nz/news/age-concern-auckland-helps-seniors-enhance-their-digital-literacy/
2026-03-26 21:22:01
420
1
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/420/Screenshot-2026-03-27-103628.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2019028325/age-concern-responds-to-government-fuel-relief-package
2026-03-24 21:37:00
418
1
One news: Healthy ageing is about staying independent, maintaining mobility and continuing to enjoy everyday activities as
you get older. For many people, what matters most is being able to get out of a chair without help, carry shopping home, climb the stairs
and recover quickly after illness.By Christopher Hurst for The ConversationOne of the most important and well-established factors in healthy
ageing is muscle strength. Sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass and strength, leads to reduced physical function and
mobility.Over time, muscles become smaller and weaker. This matters because muscle does more than move our limbs: it stabilises joints,
supports balance and acts as a reserve during illness or injury.As muscle strength declines, the risk of falls and fractures increases,
particularly in later life. Estimates suggest that sarcopenia affects a substantial proportion of older adults, particularly those over the
age of 70.]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/418/Screenshot-2026-03-16-105803.png
url
https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/03/15/how-strength-training-could-be-the-key-to-healthy-ageing/
2026-03-15 21:59:03
417
1
This from One News: The Hawke's Bay town of Wairoa currently has no rest home, leaving senior residents needing
hospital-level or specialist care with no option but to leave the district – a situation local leaders are calling a crisis.
Age Concern estimates around 100 seniors in the wider Wairoa District qualify for residential care.
The town previously had a rest home operated by Heritage Lifecare, but it closed following damage caused by Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023.
Residents were relocated, and the facility has not reopened.
The closure has left families trying to manage increasingly complex care needs at home.
Tricia Cotton is caring for her 88-year-old father, Koroua, who lives with dementia, while also working full-time.]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/417/Screenshot-2026-03-16-105350.png
url
https://www.1news.co.nz/2026/03/15/sliding-away-wairoa-seniors-forced-to-leave-amid-resthome-closure/
2026-03-15 21:55:56
416
1
Instagram
post.
“Scrolling thru social media all I see is bad news, AI rubbish or perfect photoshopped lives. Then I came to images of@rachelwardofficial and
I breathed a sigh of relief,” the 61-year-old wrote yesterday morning.
“I thought I might add my unfiltered sun damaged face and my funny old cowl lick fringe and fine over processed hair to the mix.”]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/416/Screenshot-2026-03-13-120143.png
url
https://www.stuff.co.nz/culture/360949443/bad-news-and-perfect-faces-rebecca-gibney-calls-out-youth-obsessed-social-media
2026-03-12 23:05:41
415
1
This from the Hearald: Spending time with a difficult person can impact your mood in the moment. But over time, these
challenging social interactions might also have a detrimental effect on your physical health, possibly making you age faster, new research
suggests.
The study, which was funded by the National Institute on Ageing and published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, looked at
the health impacts of “hasslers” – people the researchers defined as those “who create problems or make life more difficult”.
While positive relationships have long been linked to healthier, longer lives, hasslers seem to have the opposite effect, increasing chronic
stress and elevating epigenetic biomarkers associated with ageing.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/415/Screenshot-2026-03-12-101558.png
url
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/new-research-suggests-that-difficult-people-aka-hasslers-contribute-to-chronic-stress-and-elevate-epigenetic-biomarkers-associated-with-ageing/IZSB7QH7RZCXJKTAFT5M2BCICA/
2026-03-11 21:17:51
414
1
Age Concern chief executive Kevin Lamb called it an example of "grey washing".
For example, the SuperGold Card was accepted at grocery stores in most central business districts, but not in Gisborne, Marlborough Nelson,
Tasman, West Coast districts nor the densely populated Auckland CBD, with a fast-growing resident senior population of more than 2000
people.
"It is portraying themselves as supporting older people, but doing what I would call the bare minimum in order to achieve that," Lamb said.
"If you're going to say that SuperGold Card gets a discount in our stores, why wouldn't you do that for every store? Not just cherry pick a
handful of stores around the country and have such a lack of consistency about where those stores are located."
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/414/Screenshot-2026-03-10-110914.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/business/589113/grey-washing-supergold-card-discounts-skip-entire-regions
2026-03-09 22:11:06
413
1
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/413/Screenshot-2026-03-05-135402.png
url
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO2603/S00022/history-in-making-as-governments-draft-a-legally-binding-treaty-for-rights-of-older-persons.htm
2026-03-05 00:56:40
412
27
staying safe, staying independent, and keeping costs
predictable.
This guide covers two things that make the biggest difference:
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/412/blog-image-fix-it-square.png
page
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/blog/smart-home-maintenance-for-older-aucklanders/
2026-03-03 02:40:00
410
1
superannuation in
the long-term, but raising the age
of eligibility isn’t
one of those questions.
His comment comes after a panel discussion at the New Zealand Economics Forum in Hamilton last week, where the panel spoke about whether the
system could keep up, the age of retirement, life expectancy, and potential tweaks and their impacts on the economy and future generations.
Facilitator and former politician Steven Joyce, ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner, Milford Asset Management chief executive Blair Turnbull,
Barrister and former politician David Parker, and Aged Care Association chief executive and former politician Tracey Martin made up the panel.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/410/Screenshot-2026-02-19-123139.png
url
https://www.interest.co.nz/public-policy/137233/changing-nz-super-age-won%E2%80%99t-fix-countrys-retirement-system-problems-its-own
2026-02-18 23:34:47
409
1
“My rent is now half what it was, so I was able to give up work. I was sick of being bounced around on a truck every morning.
Pryce is a mechanic, but has spent the last few years working as a truck driver, getting up before sunrise to transport fertiliser from
Rotorua to Kawerau and back, every day.
He’d carried on working because he “couldn’t afford not to”.]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/409/Screenshot-2026-02-17-123652.png
url
https://www.stuff.co.nz/money/360938889/couldnt-afford-not-no-exit-65-reality-working-your-70s-and-80s
2026-02-16 23:38:56
408
1
At Waikato Hospital’s emergency department on a Tuesday afternoon, a woman is curled in a foetal position across two stiff-backed hospital
chairs designed to be durable and easy to clean, but that are uncomfortable if you are in pain. She moans quietly, then louder, holding her
stomach as the spasm peaks. She looks like a woman in labour but is far too old to be giving birth. And this is not a delivery suite.
A man in flannelette pyjamas and a bathrobe sits hunched over in a wheelchair. The young woman with him, who may be his granddaughter,
offers him a paper cup of water. She tries to bring the flaps of his pyjama pants together to cover his genitals. He doesn’t seem aware of the exposure.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/408/Screenshot-2026-02-17-094713.png
url
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/10-02-2026/nz-emergency-rooms-no-place-for-old-men-or-women
2026-02-16 20:50:25
407
1
This story by RNZ: Compared to being inactive, aerobic exercise has an especially powerful impact on the symptoms of depression.
Neil Munro, James Dimmock and Klaire Somoray for12
February 20267 min readCaption:The mental health benefits of exercise are comparable to and in some cases better than those of talk therapy
and antidepressants, according to a new study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.Photo credit:Dulcey Lima / Unsplash
Depression and anxiety affect millions of people worldwide.
While treatments such as medication and psychotherapy (sometimes
called talk therapy) can be very effective, they're not always an option. Barriers include cost, stigma, long waiting lists for appointments, and potential drug side effects.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/407/Screenshot-2026-02-13-152636.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbeing/exercise-can-be-as-effective-as-medication-for-depression-and-anxiety-new-study
2026-02-13 02:27:52
406
1
Stuff she
is “surviving, not living”.
Paula*, 68, has been retired for three years. She relies entirely on her pension and an accommodation supplement to pay the bills.
Over those three years, keeping up with the cost
of living has
become noticeably harder, she says.
While New Zealand super rates do keep pace with inflation, any increase to Paula’s pension is counted as extra income by Work and Income.
That means every adjustment results in a decrease to her accommodation supplement, she says, so she doesn’t end up with any extra money.
Since Paula retired, inflation has increased by more than 10%. So, in essence, she’s taken a 10% pay cut over that time.
“I feel like [the Government] is giving with one hand and taking away with the other,” she said.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/406/Screenshot-2026-02-13-092552.png
url
https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360932816/surviving-not-living-pensioners-and-beneficiaries-hit-hardest-inflation-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawP7FMtleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEexKfJa_9pt0VBCuZQ-UAOf8xsbI8P0TSTjenhhcebC0WxH4zeq29fgmo_M1c
2026-02-12 20:27:15
405
1
The feeling that time speeds up as we age is a thing, says Hinze Hogendoorn, a professor in visual time perception at the Queensland
University of Technology.
"When you're young, everything is new and exciting. First day of school, first car, first relationship, first job. There are lots of
memorable firsts."
When you're young, before routine sets in, there are a lot of "memorable firsts", says Professor Hinze Hogendoorn.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/405/Screenshot-2026-02-05-093914.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbeing/time-seems-to-speed-up-as-we-age-can-it-be-slowed-down
2026-02-04 20:42:13
404
1
It follows a long line of postal groups around the world scaling back as we enter a new era dominated by tech.
Czech Post closed 300 post office branches, the Greek postal service shut more than 200 last year, UK networks have gone through rolling
waves of reductions, and Denmark has ended traditional letter delivery entirely – an end to a 400-year-old service.
Of the 142 stores closing, 29 are in Auckland and 22 are in Christchurch.
“The remaining network of 567 stores will still be significantly larger than any New Zealand supermarket or bank branch network,” NZ Post
general manager consumer Sarah Sandoval said.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/404/Screenshot-2026-02-02-135757.png
url
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/nz-post-cuts-services-raising-fears-for-offline-older-kiwis-the-front-page/7BTHDMHQ7VHVVEQ5J5FUF4R6LM/
2026-02-02 00:59:37
403
1
For vulnerable people, particularly the elderly, heat is not only uncomfortable but dangerous. High temperatures can worsen existing health
problems and in some cases even prove fatal.
So as the mercury climbs, it’s important to understand why some people are more at risk.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/403/Screenshot-2026-01-14-120431.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/wellbeing/older-people-are-more-vulnerable-in-heatwaves-here-s-why-and-how-to-stay-safe
2026-01-13 23:08:20
402
27
At Age Concern Auckland, we take a different view. Starting the year well doesn’t have to mean doing more. Sometimes it means doing things a
little more gently, at your own pace, and with the right support around you.
Here are a few simple, practical ways to approach the year ahead without pressure.]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/402/a-gentler-start-new-years-2026.png
page
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/blog/a-gentler-start-to-the-year-practical-ways-to-support-your-wellbeing-in-2026/
2026-01-08 01:38:36
401
1
Summer read – originally published February 12 2025.
It’s a beautiful summer evening in Cornwall Park, with families scattered on the grass and a live band playing a backing track to their
laughter. Sprawled on a picnic blanket with her young son, 46-year-old Florence* is trying to soak up the good vibes, but she can’t help
feeling a heaviness. She loves doing these fun activities with her boy, but raising him alone is hard work and she craves adult company and
longs to be part of a family unit again. Despite being surrounded by people, Florence is feeling lonely.
Ironically, she isn’t alone in her loneliness.
In 2023, a survey by global analytics firm Gallup revealed
that 1 in 5 people worldwide said they felt lonely “a lot” during the previous day. In this study, Aotearoa was doing better than our allies
Canada, US and the UK; on par with our neighbours Australia; but feeling lonelier than countries like Japan, Finland and Kazakhstan. But no matter where you go on this planet, loneliness is an issue.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/401/Screenshot-2026-01-08-120000.png
url
https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/03-01-2026/are-new-zealanders-getting-lonelier-2
2026-01-07 23:01:05
400
1
Dementia is no longer a distant concern for future generations – it is here, growing, and already affecting whānau across Aotearoa. Known in
te reo Māori as mate wareware, this condition involves progressive decline in memory and cognition. It affects not just the
person living with it, but their whanau, community, and cultural wellbeing.
In New Zealand, recent research shows that dementia is under-recognised, with up to half of those who live with memory problems unaware they
have the condition.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/400/Screenshot-2026-01-08-104818.png
url
https://waateanews.com/2026/01/06/summerseries-the-growing-challenge-of-dementia-a-maori-lens-on-a-national-health-issue/
2026-01-07 21:50:08
399
1
The Total Mobility scheme provides discounted taxis and public transport fares for those with long-term impairments.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Disability Minister Louise Upston said when the previous Labour government boosted the scheme from a 50
percent subsidy in 2022, it did not account for increased demand.
The number of registered users had increased from 108,000 to 120,000 between 2022 and 2024/25, and the number of trips increased from 1.8
million in 2018 to 3 million in 2024/25.
Bishop said the increased demand now meant the scheme was close to exceeding the funding provided by $236m sometime over the five years to
2030.
"The subsidy is split between the government and public transport authorities - local councils and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) - and
provides an important service for the people who use the scheme," he said.
]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/399/Screenshot-2025-12-17-091622.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/581995/transport-subsidies-for-elderly-and-disabled-people-reduced
2025-12-16 20:18:17
398
1
A hoax circulating online claims that people who are on NZ Super are to receive a "one-off December bonus" a few weeks before
Christmas.
The payment is alleged to be $350 for single people and $560 for couples, as well as an extra $50 for people in Auckland, Wellington and
Christchurch and $40 for people with disabilities.
The websites seem to be intended to funnel advertising and possibly collect identity details.
The Ministry of Social Development confirmed that the offer was not real.
"We are aware of fake information being targeted at MSD clients and older people about December bonuses, benefit increases, or changes
to NZ Super," group general manager of client service delivery Graham Allpress said.
"We want to assure people these claims are not true. If you want up-to-date information on your benefit or NZ Super, check the Work and
Income website or MyMSD.
"These posts and websites are created by dishonest actors for dishonest reasons, and are always best avoided."]]>
https://www.ageconcernauckland.org.nz/media/website_posts/398/Screenshot-2025-12-10-102403.png
url
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/581387/no-pensioners-aren-t-getting-a-christmas-bonus?fbclid=IwY2xjawOlcqpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVcktHZkZYdFpIZktPQjAzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHrtGwuAxpzRiKMx-Xg1WdWromlcHDSRejZ-SHl8DCo41XSTgobuOkbygKB5B
2025-12-09 21:38:27