Concerns are growing that several recent and proposed ACC
policy changes could damage the health and quality of life of
older New Zealanders.
Dunedin lawyer Peter Sara highlighted age-related worries
late last week in a submission, via video conference links,
to a parliamentary select committee considering changes to
the ACC legislation.
It was "unjust" that a proposed law change to introduce a 6%
threshold for work-related hearing loss could deny
hearing-aid funding for older workers whose hearing had
previously been gradually damaged by "toxic" levels of
workplace noise, Mr Sara said in an interview.
"The other disturbing thing is that it has a look of ageism
about it."
The New Zealand Audiological Society has criticised the
threshold proposals as adversely affecting the elderly.
Critics say that people with less than 6% of overall hearing
loss have often lost 50% of their hearing of high-pitched
sounds, and would struggle to hear their grandchildren's
voices.
Mr Sara said some older, retired people also found it
increasingly hard to gain ACC support, including funding for
surgery after being injured in falls, with ACC officials
suggesting that apparent physical injuries actually reflected
age-related physical deterioration.
There was "a culture of denial and cost-cutting" at ACC, he
said.
ACC was approached for comment late last week, but no
response has been received.
Funding has been cut for a falls prevention programme in the
home involving older people, based on
internationally-recognised research led by Prof John
Campbell, of the Otago Medical School.
ACC officials say ACC is maintaining its overall commitment
to falls prevention and that a tai chi-related programme for
older people will continue next year.
Age Concern Otago executive officer Susan Davidson said older
people were "the glue that holds our society together" in
many ways, including through their extensive voluntary work,
such as looking after grandchildren.
Ms Davidson was also concerned about ACC-related issues and
said a fall at home could have "huge" effects on older people
and their families.
One key positive aspect was that Age Concern New Zealand had
high-level input to the ACC on its concerns, through
membership of a national committee.
