Empowering Hurunui’s ageing population

Hurunui will soon be receiving a dedicated social worker for its ageing population.

Thanks to some proactive thinking and a successful funding application, a grant of $106,260.00 has been approved by the Department of Internal Affairs, to secure an older person’s social worker.

It will be a 12-month pilot programme, with applications currently open.

The idea for making a bid for this role was formed late last year, when Mayor Marie Black and Together Hurunui facilitator Natalie Paterson met with all the Hurunui practice managers and listened to their concerns about the gap around meeting the wellbeing and social needs of the Hurunui’s ageing population.

Paterson said it is increasingly common for elderly people to have no family living nearby, or no contact with family members.

“Some older people note they struggle with the life administration demands required to exist in our modern world,” said Paterson, referencing banking, doing tasks online, or automated voice commands instead of a human on the end of the phone.

The number of people aged 65 years and older living in Hurunui has increased between 2018 and 2023. According to Census data, the number rose from 2,550 to 3,063.

Hurunui’s total population at the time of the 2023 Census was 13,608, with the age group of 65 years and older making up 22.6%.

“This will go a long way towards filling the critical gap for those vulnerable people in this age bracket who require coordinated social, financial, and mental health support,” said Paterson.

Wendy Allan (Practice Manager at Waikari Health Centre) and Paul Walmsley (Practice Manager at Hanmer Medical Centre) have taken the lead on this process in collaboration with Amuri, Cheviot and Amberley Health practices. The older person’s social worker will service the entire district and be based out of the Waikari Health Centre.

Allan said rural living for older people can be challenging for a number or reasons, such as if they lose their ability to drive, are unable to navigate technology, or have no family support close by.

“Increasingly we observe family is either far away or too busy with their own lives to sort out problems that older family members might encounter,” said Allan.

She admitted the digital world can be frightening and impossible to manage for older people who have not got IT skills or devices.

“With the right support, older people can continue to live in rural areas that they are familiar with and are comfortable in.”

Mayor Marie Black is waiting with anticipation to see what positive outcomes this role will have in future years, the one-year pilot will be evaluated throughout the year to consider the sustainability of its continuation.

“I am delighted to assist in bringing an older persons’ social worker to the district,” she said.

Job Application: Rural Social Worker – Older Persons Job in Hurunui, Canterbury - SEEK