Kiwis love links to family
Family comes first for older New Zealanders but they also want to be independent and not seen as a burden.
A new study funded by the NZ Families Commission Blue Skies Fund shows older people (55 to 70 years old) look to friends, partners and family for emotional and practical support as they age.
Massey University researchers Mary Breheny and Christine Stephens suggested that
future policy for older people should reflect their concerns about independence and their preference for reciprocating help.
They said there was a strong feeling that seniors didn’t want to be dependent in any way and that any help given was needed to be balanced out by something they did in return.
The study also showed seniors valued being connected to their immediate and extended family as they aged.
