Health Of Older People

With the number of people over 65 set to increase significantly, it is important we have strategies in place that will ensure they receive timely health services that help them maintain good health and wellbeing. By introducing better systems and support, we can ensure that services for older people are timely; support them to maintain good health and independence, and are consistently accessible and of high quality across the region.

The Health of Older People Service Level Alliance (HOPSLA) enables South Island DHBs to take a coordinated approach to implementing a model of care that will focus on keeping people well and improving support and processes so that when people do need it, they can receive streamlined, high quality care.

The Health of Older People Service Level Alliance works across our community, including improving services for Maori, and more equitable outcomes for our kaumatua and Pacific and Asian peoples. Prioritisation will also be given to ensuring that equivalent services are delivered to older people living in isolated and rural communities, whilst ensuring financial and workforce sustainability is achieved.

There are five priority areas that HOPSLA is currently working on. However, HOPSLA will also continue to coordinate with other regional activities and alliance groups in the areas of information technology, stroke, cancer and workforce training, to further improve health care of older people.