The Carers Alliance of 60 national NGOs, including Hospice NZ have welcomed the Government’s commitment to a new Mahi Aroha Carers’ Strategy Action Plan.
More than a million New Zealanders care for friends and family members who are frail, unwell, or have a health condition or disability.
“Being a carer is a role we can all expect to have or rely on during our lives. It's a role that also has a financial and wellbeing toll,” says Wayne Naylor, CEO Hospice NZ.
The new Strategy and its rolling Action Plan take New Zealand into the future, with multiple agencies committing to valuing and supporting carers.
“Community care and ageing in place wouldn’t work without family carers,” says Alliance co-chair Janine Stewart.
The Carers Alliance has encouraged the Government to do more to value and recognise carers who, despite their important role, can feel invisible and isolated. It has also recommended that government prioritise actions in the new Plan that improve carers’ mental, physical, and financial wellbeing.
Two thirds of carers experience depression and anxiety, over half have a health condition or disability themselves, 80% say they are lonely, and most are unable to do full-time paid work due to caring commitments.
The Carers Alliance hopes the new Action Plan will deliver new supports to sustain family carers, including more options for respite.
“All carers need wellbeing breaks so they can stay well themselves and keep going,” Stewart says.
Cabinet’s approval of the new Action Plan provides a welcome roadmap for carers into the future across agencies such as Health, MSD, Oranga Tamariki, and ACC.