Stay up to date with the latest news affecting older people in Auckland and across Aotearoa.
At Age Concern Auckland, we curate relevant articles, updates, and stories on topics like elder wellbeing, healthcare, housing, community
services, and policy changes. Check back regularly for fresh content that matters to seniors, their whānau, and caregivers.
Older people are more vulnerable in heatwaves. Here’s why – and how to stay safe
With the mercury rising across many parts of the country, older people are particularly vulnerable as heat is not only uncomfortable, but
potentially dangerous.
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.
From the Spinoff: The ‘loneliness epidemic’ is apparently spreading around the world, but what does it look like here in New Zealand? Rachel
Judkins reports.
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.
SummerSeries: The Growing Challenge of Dementia — A Māori Lens on a National Health Issue
This from Waatea News.com:
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.
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