The latest census data, released in early October, offered a statistical look at the changing face of New Zealand.

The census recorded in 2023 showed few signs of extra wrinkles, with 1.1 million New Zealand residents now over the age of 60; This is the latest indicator of how rapidly our population is aging.

With almost 30 percent of the country’s residents born abroad, we now have a wide variety of languages ​​and cultures in our communities.

Census data often tends to move slowly and only provide five-year snapshots of where we are and where we are. Sometimes the insights almost seem to surprise us due to the delay, but these trends have been emerging for a long time and give us an important indication of where we are going and how quickly we will get there.

Population forecasts published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development last year show that these trends are not slowing down and we can expect to have 1.5 million New Zealanders over the age of 65 within the next 30 years.

Professor Ngaire Kerse, an expert in gerontology at the University of Auckland and Joyce Cook chair at Aging Well, tells Newsroom the big positive in this data is that it shows New Zealanders are living longer.

“Our life expectancy in New Zealand has continued to increase even during Covid, when life expectancy has fallen in the rest of the world,” says Kerse.

“But we’re at a pretty critical point in our demographics right now; The number of people over 85 is growing really fast. “These are the baby boomer generation transitioning into older age.”

What the data doesn’t fully reflect is the fact that many New Zealanders are now living much healthier lives well into their golden years, staying active and engaging in hobbies that keep them active for long periods of time.

Kerse says aging Kiwis shouldn’t give it up just because they’re getting older.

“I always encourage people choosing a retirement village to stick with the bowling club, stick with the local library and really find reasons to get outside. “These activities force you to drive or walk, and all of that keeps you connected,” he says.

“Older people want to stay connected to their families and the community.”

stay at home

This is certainly reflected in the experiences of Pam and Cedric Little, who became the first residents of The Helier at Oceania in August 2023.

The Littles, now in their 80s, first fell in love on the tennis courts of Mount Eden 60 years ago.

Although the pair have been avid travelers over the years, they have always lived in Auckland and built their community in the city and didn’t want retirement to change that.

This is ultimately what drew the couple to The Helier.

“When we saw this being built, it met all expectations,” says Cedric Little. “It was local and part of the community. We didn’t linger too long. We decided and moved.”

The little ones lived in an apartment just down the road from Helier until 2023, but after realizing more support was needed, they began considering joining a retirement village.

They admit that the decision to step into the next life stage can be challenging, but all of their friends were extremely positive about the new doors this step would open.

“As you get older and talk to people, you often hear, ‘I wish I had done it sooner,'” he says.

“You can only enjoy this standard of living if your health is good enough and you are self-sufficient enough to enjoy the experience. “That’s the biggest plus of living in Helier because you can really enjoy your time here while still being part of the community.”

The village is located in an area of ​​Auckland they know and love, so they didn’t have to stop visiting their favorite shops, grabbing coffee at local cafes or meeting friends at neighborhood activities.

Staying local means they are not isolated and alone. They still have access to everything that keeps them connected at all times; Numerous studies show that it is an integral part of living a healthier life in old age.

The power of choice

As the population ages, we will see more people reach the stage of needing care for medical emergencies or health problems.

This move can be traumatic for some as they face the reality of having to leave their homes, but there are ways to lessen the impact.

From the University of Otago, Dr. Research conducted by Myunik Panthi found that transition to care challenges can be reduced if medical professionals and families plan ahead and give older adults the opportunity to be part of the decision-making process.

“The majority of participants reported that the decision to move was made by their GP and family members and that it was not their decision, implying that they did not want to come to a residential care facility,” Panthi said.

Panthi’s research suggested that will also means taking into account the unique preferences of the person who will eventually enter care.

“A holistic and collaborative approach is important to meet different physical, mental, social and cultural needs,” he said.

“One set of policies does not fit all, so flexibility in care culture and policy is essential to ensure the well-being of older adults.”

The fact that they would eventually have to move into care was an important consideration for the Little Ones, who did not want to leave when one of them reached this stage.

Many villages in Oceania, including Helier, now offer state-of-the-art care services, and Little Ones can take comfort in knowing they will remain close for years to come.

“Being able to see each other every day is huge,” says Cedric Little.

Planning well in advance and having honest conversations means Little ones have made choices that suit their lifestyle and future aspirations. No matter what, the choices about where they live are under their control.

Changing the culture

Immigration has always been a part of New Zealand’s history and continues to be so, judging by the proportion of our population born abroad.

This increasing diversity is exciting for the evolving concept of what it means to be a New Zealander, but it also comes with challenges.

Te Herenga Waka – Dr Ágnes Szabó, senior lecturer in health at Victoria University of Wellington, told Newsroom the health sector needed to be more sensitive to the growing cultural and linguistic diversity in Aotearoa to ensure the care provided was fair and culturally appropriate. It is as safe.

“Immigrants often cite cultural safety reasons for not seeking health care,” he says.

“These may include feeling stigmatized or judged due to cultural beliefs, or feeling misunderstood due to language and communication barriers.

“It is critical to diversify and educate our healthcare workforce to provide culturally competent and safe care. “But in order for healthcare professionals to work in an inclusive and safe way, they need to be involved in organizations that value and promote cultural competence and cultural safety.”

Oceania director of clinical and care services, Shirley Ross, said the company always strives to meet residents’ needs and does not seek to implement a one-size-fits-all approach.

“As New Zealand’s population changes, we need to listen and respond to the unique needs of those who choose to call Oceania home. This ultimately ensures we deliver on our promise that we truly believe in something better.”

New Zealand’s population may be aging and changing in a number of ways, but businesses now have an opportunity to respond and listen to the voices contributing to this change. Doing this now can make a big difference in the years to come.