This information is located in the Work and Income website.

Research has shown that by ‘having a successful, healthy and active life before and after reaching old age’ one can enhance the chances of retaining independence. ‘Financial resources, an active mind, good relationships with family and friends, fitness and health and good self esteem are all associated with being able to stay living independently. Even when serious disability or illness occurs, these personal resources and social capital increase choices and enhance the likelihood that an individual can access services, be supported informally and stay living independently.’ (Ministry of Social Policy Factors Affecting the Ability of Older People to Live Independently – A Report for the International Year of Older Persons New Zealand 2000 pg 58). This Report clearly identified the importance of older people having control of their lives and affairs.

We have incorporated these thoughts and identified the following major factors that are important in maintaining independence:

• Physical well being
• Mental, emotional, spiritual and social well-being
• Staying safe
• Finances/income
• Housing
• Access to services

The following sections of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ address these in more detail.

Circulation

Our Circulation tends to become a little more sluggish as we age. This is another good reason to remain active. Activity assists circulation. Take good care of your extremities where it is harder for the blood to circulate. It is important also to keep your skin in good condition. Do not ignore abrasions or wounds. Make sure that you get them attended to as soon as possible. If you are diabetic this is even more important. Dry your skin well. Seek the assistance of a podiatrist if your feet or nails need attention. Wear sensible, warm e.g. woollen and protective clothing when indicated (when it is cold, when gardening, walking through bush etc). Keep warm too during winter. Health professionals recommend that you keep the temperature of the rooms you live in at 20 degrees Celsius.

It is never too late to give up smoking. Smoking adversely effects circulation.

Incontinence and ‘water works’ problems

There can be a number of different causes of bladder or bowel problems. These may include infections, constipation, medication etc. Consult your doctor if you experience problems.

Symptoms of incontinence include;

• Difficulty getting to the toilet in time
• ‘Leaking’ when straining, coughing, sneezing, laughing, exercising etc
• Being fearful of going out if you don’t know where the toilets are ie being afraid of not ‘making it’ in time.
• Having to get up to go to the toilet several times at night.

Incontinence can be treated or well managed.

Women especially (but also men) can benefit from pelvic floor exercises. These exercises strengthen the muscles that control urination. You can do these by clenching your buttocks and ‘pulling up’ between your legs and holding that sensation for several seconds. A way of checking you technique is to start urinating and then stop midstream. These are the muscles you need to be exercising. Repeat these exercises whenever you think about them and at least 10 to 20 times daily to benefit.

It is tempting to reduce fluid intake in an effort to reduce the frequency of toilet stops. It doesn’t work that way. You need to drink about 8 – 12 cups of fluid per day.

Avoid making ‘just in case‘ calls to the toilet. This actually trains your bladder to be lazy. Retrain it with the previous exercises and make it work harder. Many people find this very successful.

In a number of centres, nurses specialising in continence management will be able to give advice. It is preferable to have your GP refer you to these services, as in many instances s/he can provide important medical background, however you can self refer. Products may also be purchased from some of these services. If you need to buy pads it is often cheaper to buy the specialised adult variety that are more appropriately styled and absorbent than sanitary pads. These are not generally available at the supermarket. If you don’t have specialist nurses in your area see the Practice Nurses at your local surgery who will also be able to advise or help.

Prostate trouble

A common condition affecting men is prostate trouble. Symptoms include;

• difficulty beginning to urinate,
• stopping and starting,
• dribbling,
• wanting to urinate frequently (especially during the night),
• feeling of not completely emptying the bladder etc.

It is important to speak to your doctor about this problem. Whilst it is likely to be benign this condition may be malignant or may become malignant.

Medication

Always take pills as prescribed. Never exchange pills with other people .

There can be problems if you stop some pills suddenly. Some pills need to be reduced gradually. Finish courses of antibiotics (unfinished courses can affect the resistance of the organism in the future making the antibiotic less effective or ineffective). Contact your doctor immediately if you are having problems or side effects from medication. Consider using a weekly pill dispenser box. Your health adviser or chemist can help you set this up. Find out more about what you are taking and why. This way you will feel more in control of your health. Don’t expect pills from the doctor each time you visit. There are often other treatments or advice.

Any medications that are no longer needed should be discarded. Check the expiry dates on your medication especially if you use medication spasmodically eg inhalers

Can’t Sleep/Insomnia

Many older people complain of not being able to have good nights sleep.

See your doctor if this is a problem for you. It may help to know that as we get older we generally require less sleep. Sometimes insomnia can be a symptom of other conditions e.g. depression. There are a number of things you can do to ensure a better nights sleep.

• Make sure that you have a warm bed but if you use an electric blanket do not sleep with it on. (Remember to have your electric blanket checked each year.) Wheat bags that are warmed in the microwave work well for some people (do not over heat these and make sure you follow the manufacturers safety instructions).
• More exercise corresponds with more sleep. Dozing through the day can result in less sleep at night.
• Have a warm milk drink before retiring. Avoid coffee and tea, as these are stimulants.
• Set the right sort of atmosphere before going to bed. Relax, do something quiet, read etc.
• Put your worries to bed too. Tuck them up symbolically in your mind (allowing yourself to untuck them in the morning). Sometimes it helps to make a list of the things that need attention. That way your mind doesn’t need to spend all night taking care of them.
• Have things handy at the bedside that you might require e.g. torch, radio, bedside lamp, magazine, shawl, rug, telephone.

Diet and Healthy Eating .

Older people do not need as many calories as younger people but you do need good a nutritious diet with lots of fluid. It should also be low in salt, sugar and fat. As with all age groups you require a balance of fresh fruit and vegetables, cereal and protein. To ensure that you have a good daily diet you should choose; high fibre foods, five or more servings of fruit/vegetables and several servings of milk products.

It is often difficult to get enthusiastic over meals when you are on your own. For many people much of the enjoyment of eating is sharing with others. Find a friend or neighbour to occasionally share a meal with. If your budget and location permit, eating out occasionally can give you new opportunities to meet people e.g. at the food court area of your local mall. Nowadays nutritious meals can be prepared more easily. Instant foods and smaller portions of meat and vegetables are readily available in the supermarkets. Read the labels to check the contents. Select those that display the healthy heart tick. In many areas a ‘Meals on Wheels’ service operates. This service delivers meals to the door. Meals may be either hot or frozen. In the smaller centres local Rest Homes may provide this service.

Make sure that you maintain good oral hygiene, see your dentist regularly and ensure that your dentures fit properly if you have them.

Health Checks

By having frequent health checks one is in a better position of picking up conditions that require treatment early on. Consider the following checks:

• Hearing Checks. Hearing loss is often gradual and may go unnoticed by the sufferer for some time. Contact the Hearing Association or the Deaf Association of New Zealand for more information.
• Eyesight Checks. It is recommended that your eyes are tested and examined about every two years. Contact your Optician for more information.
• Cervical screening. The guideline is; yearly tests until 69 and thereafter as recommended by your doctor.
• Breast Screening. Cancer treatment is more effective if it is discovered early on. Women over 50 are advised to have mammograms every two years. Free screening is available for those 50-64. Women with a family history of breast cancer require closer monitoring.
• Prostate Checks. See your doctor for advice on the desired frequency of testing.

See your doctor

• If you are unwell
• For an annual check up
• 3 monthly for pill checks
• For an annual flu vaccination.

Social and emotional well being

Loneliness and social isolation (as distinct from living alone) can become problems, as we get older. This may be due to a number of factors e.g. loss of someone close, loss of mobility etc. You can have some control over some of your responses e.g. join clubs, maintain a wide circle of friends etc. Other factors however, are beyond the control of the individual and spill over into the areas of social policy, housing, transport and poverty. (We address some of these issues in other sections.)

Since childhood, western society (NB: Other ethnic groups construct their societies differently and therefore face different issues.) has instilled in us the value of independence. Whilst there is value in developing self sufficiency there has perhaps been an over emphasis on independence at the expense of interdependence. Interdependency stresses the value of relationships. Building relationships builds healthy communities. It is important that people feel that they can participate in their community. Having a sense of belonging and participation in the wider community is crucial for self-esteem and emotional well-being. There are a number of ways that older people can participate in society. Thoughts and suggestions include:

• Talk with your neighbours. Take an interest in what is going on in the area. Join a neighbourhood group. It is sometimes difficult maintaining a balance between neighbourliness and the need for your own privacy. Set the boundaries early on.
• Don't be afaid to ask for support. In many areas the St John Caring Caller service (0800 780780) can arrange for someone to ring you each day to have a chat and check that all is well. Services such as Citizens Advice Bureaux http://www.cab.org.nz can direct you to other appropriate agencies and groups.
• Try volunteering. A good volunteer programme will give you training, ongoing support and value you as one of the team. Volunteering is hugely important in economic terms to the country, not to mention social terms. You will be doing the country a favour! Take care however that you don’t get overloaded. You can even volunteer from your own home. Programmes such as the St John Caring Caller allow you to be involved in the community from the comfort of your own home. For more information see: http://www.stjohn.org.nz or phone 0800 780780 When you leave any volunteer position it is not your responsibility to find a replacement.
• Try to maintain a flexible attitude. Research shows that this is an important attribute in remaining independent.
• Explore ways of building bridges between yourself and the young. Young people have very different things to contend with than you did. Support the youth to find their own solutions to today’s problems.
• Planning is important for a sense of achievement. It is easy to let routine slip by putting something off today that can be done tomorrow. If you put some routine back in your day you may feel more ‘in control’.
• Break down the stereotypes. Sometimes the things we stop doing are because we think it doesn’t ‘fit’ our age group. Many older people are prepared to push the boundaries these days. Just look at the number of people who participate in the Masters Games and other similar events.
• Some people are finding fulfilment in continuing in paid work. (This does not belie the fact that some also need to continue in paid work for economic reasons.) Employment rates for people aged 65 and over have risen from 6% in 1981 to 11.4% in 2001 (Statistics New Zealand) . This percentage could very well increase.
• Balance rest, leisure and activity. Take time to keep up with reading, going to movies with friends, attending clubs, going to concerts etc. If transport is a problem you may be able to link in with others by car pooling, sharing taxi/van costs etc.
• Contact your local rest home. Sometimes you can join in with their activities, outings and special events.
• You might like to consider getting a pet if you don’t have one. There has been considerable research into the link between loneliness and the keeping of a pet. It has been suggested that having a pet helps meet some psychological needs. Pets can be a great way of introduction to new people.
• Feeling supported is also an important aspect of emotional well-being. We often turn to our families in the first instance and when they don’t or can’t help and then we feel let down. There are a number of reasons why families don’t seem to be so supportive these days. Societal pressures on families, their geographical distance and the changing nature of what in fact constitutes a family are just some of the factors that combine to make it more difficult for families to support one another these days. Despite this, national figures show that a third of adult New Zealanders do provide support to older people. Other people such as those friends who give you confidence in you own ability, listen to your concerns and encourage you are important in helping you feel supported.
• Not seeing family and friends as frequently as you would like can be disappointing. Try to make the contact you do have with them as positive as possible. People are more likely to repeat positive experiences.
• Many older people are taking an active role in grand parenting. The changing nature of paid work does however impact on all family members. New patterns seem to be emerging that show that many grandparents are now looking after their grandchildren whilst the parents work. This doesn’t mean that grand parents are prepared to be ‘used’ whenever requested. Many older people want to, and need to, maintain a life of their own. Responsibilities and rights of older people can therefore become a bit of a ‘juggling act’.
• Research has also shown that having a positive attitude increases your ability to remain independent. That is of course easier said than done. It is also a very complex issue as a number of factors impact on this e.g. your own personality, circumstances, societal perceptions etc. Certainly if you can foster as positive an attitude as possible, this will work in your favour.
• Many seniors groups that represent older people are also working hard to ensure that images of older people are positive. The way others perceive older people impacts greatly on how older people feel about themselves. If you have the inclination, these groups would value your support.

Spiritually

Connectedness with a greater power is very important for many people. This may be in the form of a quiet, contemplative, self expression, or more formalised such as belonging to a church group. Some studies suggest that there are stages of faith where faith is seen as ever changing and growing. For some people the later years of life can be a time of questioning for others it may be experiencing a more encompassing view of faith. Whatever your experience is, it may be helpful to view this as part of the journey of life.

Outside

• Ensure that path surfaces and gradients are safe.
• Steps are easier to negotiate when walking than a ramp.
• Indicate or mark changes in levels.
• Is it easy to get the mail?
• If you drive, keep the access to the garage clear so that you have as clear a view as possible.

Inside

• Ensure that smoke detectors work. Check them bi-annually when ‘daylight saving’ begins and ends.
• Store a ‘Life Tube’ in fridge. These store information about your health status and are easily found by paramedics if they are called. (Ask Age Concern about these).
• Make sure that heaters are safely placed
• Ensure that curtains and drapes are not near the stove, fire, heater, etc
• Set the hot water cylinder so that the temperature at the tap is 50-55C.
• Make sure that extension cords are safely run and that they are not warm to the touch
• Keep the jug cord clear of the stove elements.
• Take your electric blanket to an electrician each year to be checked.
• Don’t overload power points
• Get a fire extinguisher and know how to use it (not too heavy for you to use).
• Keep floor surface clear of mats, or put down the non-slip variety.
• Make sure that there is easy access through doorways.
• Plan escape routes from various points of the house.
• Lighting should be bright.
• Consider use of timers on lights and radio (also for safety and security reasons).
• Keep a night-light or torch at the bedside.
• Ensure that your medication is safely stored and in a form you can manage e.g. made up into daily /weekly pack (the chemist can arrange).
• Plan for easy access to a phone/s you can comfortably use, e.g. with large numbers, a portable phone carried in a pouch or several phones strategically placed around the house.
• You may want to think about getting a 'Medical Alarm'. There are various sytems that are available. Check the set up costs, ongoing monitoring costs/plans. Those who are eligible may qualify for assistance with costs under the 'Disability Allowance'. (see Question 18)
• Make sure that furniture, chairs and bed is easy to get in and out of.
• Maintain appliances in good condition.
• Shift items in the cupboard so that you can easily reach them
• Get aids in bathroom eg toilet rails, non-slip mats, chairs, raised toilet seat etc if you need them. Contact the Assessment Service to see if you qualify for assistance and avail yourself of their expertise and recommendations as to what best suits your need.
• Ensure that there is clear access to toilet, bath, shower etc.
• Use a walking aid if recommended.

90% of older people live in private homes, the majority of these being owner occupied. 2.8% live in Retirement Villages. The remainder live in residential care or in other living arrangements.

When thinking about housing, the issues of suitability and choice are important factors to consider. Does your current housing meet your needs or do you need to make some changes?

Suitability

What suits one person doesn’t necessarily suit another. To determine suitability the following aspects should be considered: location (family, amenities, church etc), emotional attachment, size, access to transport, maintenance, layout of the house and property, access, safety features, warmth, ongoing costs (rates, insurance) etc. A helpful guideline is to consider each of the above (and any others that you think of), weigh up the positive and negative aspects and then analyse the outcome. If the negatives outweigh the positives you may want to re-evaluate your situation. Many people find that their own home provides the optimal housing option. Others discover that maybe a change needs to be considered. It is preferable to make any change whilst you are still able to adapt to your new community.

Choice

As mentioned before, part of being independent lies with the ability to make choices. For some people, particularly those on lower incomes there are fewer choices. If you need to make some alterations or require aids in your home, to accommodate any disability you have, it is important to make contact with an Assessment and Service Coordination service. You may be eligible for some assistance and support. One of the choices some people have, is the option to move into a retirement village. Retirement complexes do offer the companionship of those of a similar age and in some instances a range of care and support. These complexes generally have a big profile and their marketing is extensive. If you are considering a move to a retirement complex it is advisable to seek comprehensive, independent legal advice. The ways in which legal titles are held (ownership) vary between villages and they can be complex and confusing. For further information see the question 'What is involved in purchasing a unit in a Retirement Village?'

Residential Care

For information about residential Care see the section “Frequently Asked Questions” (Residential Care – Map Page)

Talking with older people about such issues can be difficult. Some older people are fearful about becoming dependant on others and may therefore deny what really is going on and in some instances become angry and defensive. They may also blame themselves for their circumstances or feel that you are trying to take control of their life. Helpful tips about talking these issues through include;

• Making time to talk about it when you are both feeling ok.
• Encouraging the person to speak about their fears.
• Listening carefully and not minimising what they are saying.
• Expressing your concerns.
• Being honest about what you can and can’t do to assist them.
• Talking through all the options together.
• Encouraging the person to make an independent decision if possible.

If you are not making any progress, you are still concerned and you are the caregiver/supporter, tell the person that you would like an independent opinion eg the Assessment Service or General Practitioner (GP). Go ahead and make this contact. You are the person seeking help for yourself.

People who are competent to make their own decisions are able to decide how they want to live. Care must be taken therefore to not make judgments about others living conditions. If there are public health issues however, you should refer the situation to the GP or Health Department.

Carers New Zealand is a national charitable trust to help carers of all ages. Their web site contains extensive information http://www.carers.net.nz

Needs assessment

A needs assessment looks broadly at your health, wellbeing and support needs and basically asks the question ‘What do you need so that things can be improved for you?’ This type of assessment is broad based and encompasses not only your physical but social, emotional and spiritual needs.

The assessment is usually undertaken by one person and it should be done in consultation with other health professionals such as your doctor and others involved in your healthcare. It can be conducted in your home or in hospital if you are an inpatient. During the assessment you will be asked questions about what you can/can’t do and those things you are having difficulty with. The assessment process also requires the assessor to talk with you about what you think you need, and with your consent, your significant others. During the process if you don’t feel that your real concerns and issues are being addressed, say so.

You will be given a copy of the assessment. On this document reference may be made to the level of assistance that might be required.

You will need to undergo an assessment if you want to access any District Health Board subsidised services. If you are found to be eligible for support services these may not all be free as other (funding) criteria also apply. A general guideline is that Personal Care assistance is available free of charge to all who have been assessed and are eligible. Those who hold a Community Services card are likely to meet the funding criteria for both Home Support Services and Personal Care. For further information contact your local service coordinator or Work and Income who can advise about other possible funding assistance if this is required. See also: What financial assistance may be available?

Service co-ordination

Service co-ordination is the process of putting solutions into place that will meet the identified/assessed support needs. With your permission the information resulting from the assessment is used by the service co-ordinator to help with the co-ordination of services. All options are explored and you will be asked what you think the best solutions might be. In many instances the solutions will include putting home support services in place or increasing or varying those already being received. It may be however that your social needs or other needs have a higher priority. Let the co-ordinator know what is important to you. It needs to be noted that occasionally the services or support that you need may not exist or be immediately available. If you do not feel able to advocate for these yourself or have someone who will advocate for you, you may wish to contact the free Advocacy Service.

The roles of needs assessment and service co-ordination are often known by the abbreviation NASC. NASC teams are located in every DHB region. You may contact them yourself or a referral may be made for you by your doctor.

This can be quite hard to cope with as you may feel you should just take what’s given. This isn’t so, and the problem can be addressed.

The things that you need to do to sort your situation out depend on what the problem is and how serious it is. In many instances it could be as simple you having an honest talk to the worker or for the agency to change the worker to someone more suited to you and your needs.

The following scenarios are quite typical:

Senario 1 – Helping the helper You are not used to having people come into your home to help you. You may also feel a little embarrassed about this, so you tidy things up before your home help person arrives. This can lead to the roles between yourself and the home help person becoming a bit muddled. Consequently the real situation is masked and the worker really doesn’t know what to do.

Moving towards a solution :

• Remind yourself that you have either been assessed as requiring assistance or you have chosen to engage someone to help you. It’s ok to have help.
• Resist the urge to help the worker out ie don’t do the housework before they come.

Senario 2 – Time wasting It is fairly natural that you may want to be polite and offer hospitality. Sometimes sitting down for a ‘cuppa’ can go beyond a quick ‘cuppa’ and become an excuse for the worker to do nothing. Also, if you are lonely, you may initially enjoy having someone to talk to but realise later that the work isn’t being done. You feel ‘taken advantage of’.

Moving towards a solution :

• Unless a cuppa etc has been pre-arranged then this is not expected. This person is there to do paid work.
• The manager should have set out the tasks with you so that you know what jobs will be done.

Senario 3 – Doing a poor job Another problem people complain about pertains to the way in which jobs are done.

Moving towards a solution

• If something is particularly important to you, you might want to specify this, eg explaining how you want the vacuuming done.

Ideas for addressing the problem include:

• Don’t allow the situation to go on as this just leads to you feeling more powerless.
• Go back to your initial contract or agreement. In a clear way tell the person you think that things have got away from the original plan and that you would like to start over again. Clarify things that need sorting out.
• If this is not successful or possible (eg if you are afraid of the person) speak to the case manager and tell them your difficulty.
• Ask the manager how they will deal with the problem, what they expect the outcome to be and how long they think it will take. Ask what will happen if it is not resolved.
• Contact your Service Coordinator if things have not been resolved with the above suggestions. This person will discuss options with you, help you address the issue if required or refer this to other appropriate authorities.
• Funding authorities need to know when services they have contracted are not meeting the standards required. Funding authorities include the District Health Board, ACC etc
• You may contact the office of The Health and Disability Commissioner particularly if you believe your rights have been infringed.
• The New Zealand Home Health Association has an interest in industry standards. They will have processes in place if a complaint is made about one of their members.
• Consumer Advocacy Services are available to all users of health and disability services. The service is free and confidential. Click here for further information.
• If you feel your privacy has been breached you may wish to contact the Privacy Commissioner

Very occasionally serious misconduct eg theft, abuse etc occurs. Report this to the person in authority and/or the police immediately

This article, supplied by Inland Revenue, will help you prepare for the end of the tax year.

Well, we have some good news for you. Many people who receive NZ Super don’t have to do anything at all!

However, if you earn income over and above your NZ Super, you may have to request a personal tax summary or file an IR 3 tax return.

This article gives you an overview of how it all works. We can’t cover every possible situation, so please go to www.ird.govt.nz if you’d like more information. You’ll find a plain English explanation of everything you need to know under “Individuals & families/Income tax”.

No return required

If you receive NZ Super only, or NZ Super and any combination of the following types of income, you probably won’t need to file a tax return at the end of the year:

• Salary or wages
• Interest and dividends from New Zealand
• A social security pension from overseas, if it’s paid directly to Work and Income.

This type of income has tax deducted before you receive it. Because you pay the tax throughout the year, you don’t need to file a return at the end of the year.

But if you’ve been taxed at the wrong rate, we may send you a personal tax summary, or you may need to request one.

The personal tax summary (PTS)

We’ll send you a PTS if we think you need to “square up” your tax at the end of the year. There are a number of reasons a square up may be necessary. Here are some examples:

• We calculate that you owe tax (you may have been on an incorrect tax code)
• You received working for families tax credits during the year
• You have a student loan.

If any of these situations apply, you can expect to receive a PTS by mid-July. If we don’t send you a PTS, you may have to request one in August.

When you receive your PTS, check that the details are accurate and follow the instructions printed on the form.

If your share of interest income from all sources is over $200, and is taxed at a rate lower than your income tax rate for the year, you may be required to request a PTS.

The IR 3 tax return

You need to file an IR 3 return if you received any of the following types of income:

• rental income
• business income
• self-employed income
• income from overseas
• income from a partnership, estate, or trust
• income from schedular payments (formerly withholding payments)
• other income that hasn’t had the full amount of tax deducted during the year.

Please go to our website to see the full list.

We'll send you an IR3 return by late May or early June if we think you need to file one. If you don’t receive your return in the mail, please ask us to send you one, or you can file online.

IR 3 returns are due by 7 July, unless you have a tax agent with an extension of time arrangement.

Tax refunds – a tip

If you want to check to see if you’re entitled to a tax refund, go to www.ird.govt.nz and use our Personal tax summary calculation for 2008 service. It’s under “Work it out/Income tax”.

You may need a “summary of earnings”. You can request one under “Get it done online”.

Not sure if you need to file?

You may find our special calculator helpful. Go to www.ird.govt.nz and follow the links: “Work it out/Income tax/Do you need to file an IR3 return or receive a personal tax summary for 2008?”

Due date for income tax

If you owe end-of-year tax for the 2008 year, and you have the standard 31 March balance date, the tax must be paid to us by 7 February 2009. Or 7 April 2009 if you have a tax agent.

Tax credit for charitable gifts (formerly donations rebate)

You can claim a tax credit if you gifted $5 or more to an approved charitable organisation during the year, and you have a receipt to support your claim.

Your tax credit is 33 1/3% of the total gifts made.

For last year (the year ended 31 March 2008) there is a maximum claim of $630. The maximum claim takes effect once your donations amount to $1890 or more.

Tax credit for housekeeper

You can claim a tax credit if you have receipts to show that you paid for a housekeeper because you (or your partner) were disabled or physically unable to do housework.

Your tax credit is 33% of the total payments you made.

There is a maximum claim of $310, which takes effect when your payments amount to $940 or more.

A change in the law

The rules relating to donations and housekeepers have changed. From this tax year (the year ending 31 March 2009), you can still claim a tax credit, but the maximums have been removed. Your total claim for either tax credit must be less than or equal to your taxable income.

Claiming your tax credits

You need to send us a completed Rebate claim form (IR 526) after 31 March. Please attach your receipts.

Any questions about tax credits?

If you need more information, please go to www.ird.govt.nz and look under “Individuals & families/Income tax/What to do at the end of the tax year (31 March)”.

Don’t worry!

Tax can be complicated, and most people need assistance from time to time. Please call us (toll free) on 0800 227 774 if you have any questions or concerns. We’ll be happy to help you.

Date: 18-12-08

This is a sensitive subject, given that people find it very difficult admitting that maybe everything is not well behind closed doors. By the time abuse begins happening it is easy to convince yourself that this is just ‘normal family dynamics’. A good test of this reasoning is that; if a stranger were to be treated this way would you think it was ok? An abusive situation generally develops slowly and the dynamics are complex. By the time it becomes more obvious the person being abused can even begin defending the abuser. Psychological factors such as blaming the older person for the situation can make the older person feel responsible for what is happening to them eg “It’s my fault. I’m so slow these days, no wonder they yell at me.” The victims of abuse are usually more frail and dependant on others. Research has shown that the most likely perpetrators of the abuse are family members especially daughter/daughter in law or son. Any one can perpetrate abuse and this includes partners, friends, home help personnel and residential care workers.

The types of abuse include:

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves the wilful infliction of injury or pain and includes actions such as burning, slapping, hitting, bruising, squeezing, restraining, inappropriate use of or the withholding of medication etc.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse involves unwanted sexual contact. Threats or force may be involved.

Financial Abuse

Financial abuse is the inappropriate, illegal or improper exploitation of the funds of the older person. This may be without the victims consent or if it is, it may be under duress. Examples include demanding the pin number of bank accounts etc.

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Emotional/ Psychological abuse involves the infliction of mental or emotional anguish or fear. It may involve, humiliation, intimidation, threats or removal of decision-making powers.

Neglect

Neglect is the failure to provide the basic necessities of life e.g. adequate meals, heating, clothing etc. Active neglect is the conscious deprivation of the basic necessities. Passive neglect often results from a caregivers refusal or failure to provide those necessities because of their own lack of information or refusal to follow the directions of health professionals etc

Caregiving can be stressful and stress is one of the factors that are most commonly seen in abusive situations. Other factors that increase the likelihood of abuse include;

• Dependency of the older person.
• History of family violence.
• Social isolation of both caregiver and older person.
• Lack of self-esteem of both caregiver and older person.
• Mental health issues and psychosocial problems.
• Abuse of alcohol and drugs.
• Inadequate caregiveing skills
• Financial problems
• Overcrowded living situations

Factors that keep people tied into abusive relationships include:

• feelings such as fear of the abusers wrath, shame, guilt etc
• previous promises made e.g. ‘I will leave you the house if you look after me.”
• financial dependency
• lack of knowledge about their options

Abusive situations are damaging to all parties. You do not have to ‘put up with it’. The places from where you can get assistance include:

• Age Concern. Their Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention Services provide awareness and education prevention about elder abuse and neglect, alongside co-ordinating responses to cases of abuse and/or neglect of older people. Their website http://www.ageconcern.org.nz has extensive information about the subject. It has a large section on preventative strategies.

• Your Doctor or Practice Nurse
• A Social Worker
• Citizens Advice Bureaux www.cab.org.nz
• Solicitors
• Public Trust
• Community Law Centres
• The Police
• Ethnic support groups
• Ministers of religion
• Health Support Groups eg Parkinson Society etc
• Department of Work and Income http://www.workandincome.govt.nz/
• Auckland Sexual Abuse Help www.asah.org.nz (for those in the Auckland region)

The reporting of Elder Abuse is not mandatory. This means that the person to whom the information is disclosed (ie told to) does not have to report it to relevant authorities. If this person is a professional, or is acting in a professional way, they should discuss various options with the person concerned and encourage them to take more control of their life. Appropriate support should also be found. Non-mandatory reporting, which is a complex and often debated subject, presents workers/professionals with difficult ethical issues. It needs to understood that if other people, including children, are at risk then those who know about the situation have an ethical obligation to ensure their safety. A person acting in a responsible way will make sure that this is done.

A report Beyond Zero Tolerance: Key issues and future directions for family violence work in New Zealand published in August 2005 by the Families Commission www.familiescommission.govt.nz gives further information. For information relating to Elder Abuse see pages 58-64

Any assets, which are transferred to a Trust, must be sold at market value, otherwise the Inland Revenue Department can assess you for gift duty on the difference between the value you allocated at the time of sale and the actual market value.

It is important to bear in mind that there is gift duty payable in New Zealand for gifts in excess of $27,000 in any 12-month period. The rate of duty is payable on a sliding scale commencing at 5% and increasing to 25% if the gifting goes beyond $75,000. For example, a gift of $100,000 would attract gift duty of $12,850.

As an example, a matrimonial home worth $300,000 is sold to a Trust. The Trust of course does not actually have $300,000 so it borrows the money from the husband and wife (usually the Settlor’s). The debt is secured by way of an acknowledgment of debt from the Trustees to each of them for an amount of $150,000. So, the husband and wife exchange their ownership of the home for a debt of $150,000 owed to each of them by the Trustees. The house is then owned by the Trust.

The objective is usually for the debt to be reduced and eventually forgiven altogether. This is usually achieved by the husband and wife gifting the sum of $27,000 in each twelve month period so that after;

Year 1 – the debt is reduced to $123,000

Year 2 – the debt is reduced to $96,000

Year 3 – the debt is reduced to $69,000

Year 4 – the debt is reduced to $42,000

Year 5 – the debt is reduced to $15,000

Year 6 – the debt is nil

From the above example we can see that forward planning is essential. The transfer of assets without the payment of gift duty can be a time consuming procedure.

This information is provided by Brent Selwyn, Harmans Lawyers, Solicitors. February 2009. http://www.harman.co.nz