Taranaki region likely to face burgeoning elderly population

Taranaki is a "front-runner" in caring for the elderly, which is just as well given projected movements in the region's demographics.

In Statistics New Zealand's latest figures, the projection of the number of retirement-age people in the country ranks Taranaki fourth out of 16 regions.

The number of people in Taranaki aged over 65 is expected to increase from 16,800 in 2009 (15 per cent of the population) to 28,400, (26 per cent) by 2031.

Retirement Commissioner Diana Crossan stresses that it should not be seen as a negative.

"That's a high number. Taranaki is well up the list but it's not a bad thing, it's just different.

"The biggest change Taranaki will notice is the old old – the over 85s," she said.

The shifting demographic will mean an older workforce, Positive Ageing Trust member John Cunningham said.

"They'll have to work if the present trends continue. They'll be required to work.

"That shouldn't be seen as a disaster, it's making use of the skills we already have," he said.

The changes will impact but will not cripple the health sector, Ms Crossan says and it is up to workplaces to take care of their older workers.

"Workplaces which don't cater to older people will miss out.

"They need to allow people to work just two or three days and make their workplace a friendlier place to be."

Taranaki will cope well with the ageing population, Ms Crossan said.

"There's been a really good focus on the elderly in Taranaki for a long time. It's actually been a front-runner in terms of the focus in that area and other councils will be looking to emulate that."

Project Splice, which assesses the health needs of the elderly, was initiated by the Taranaki District Health Board.

Annabel Reid is an AUT journalism student.

- © Fairfax NZ News