Labour and the Greens are to work alongside Grey Power to hold a nationwide investigation into the state of aged care, the parties announced today.
The investigation will involve a programme of public meetings held around the country by Winnie Laban, Sue Kedgley and Grey Power to which the elderly, their families, local health officials and NGOs and other interested parties will be invited to attend.
"The purpose of the meetings is to gather data and case studies showing the treatment and care the elderly receive in rest homes or at home," Labour and Green Party spokespeople for aged care Luamanuvao Winnie Laban and Sue Kedgley said.
"The information that is collected will be collated into a report along with advice from experts and recommendations to improve the quality of delivery. The report will be peer-reviewed before being presented to the government.
"The reason we have decided to take this step is that the elderly are telling us that the provision and quality of aged care in New Zealand is deteriorating, leaving our elderly in an increasingly vulnerable state," they said.
Winnie Laban said: "I attempted three times in Parliament last year to instigate a cross party investigation into the sector but each time was blocked by the National Party.
"Since then New Zealanders have learned of even more funding cuts, including the reduction of home care services to elderly patients across New Zealand as the Government cuts costs.
"New Zealand needs to have an open and frank discussion about how we can meet the growing demand for aged care as our population ages and to ensure our elderly are treated in a fair and dignified way.
Sue Kedgley said the investigation would "shine a spotlight on the way our elderly are cared for and the way the Government is targeting our vulnerable elderly and reducing their access to vital support such as homecare and aged care.
"We need much greater honesty and openness about the way we treat older New Zealanders and far greater scrutiny and accountability in aged care provision.
"These deep seated problems in the provision of care for the elderly urgently need addressing."
Grey Power President Les Howard said the investigation was timely and was fully supported by Grey Power.
"Our members are increasingly concerned at the way the aged care sector is going. This process will help to highlight the problems the elderly in New Zealand are facing when it comes to care, so that much needed improvements can be made."
A schedule of dates, times and places for the meetings will be available within the next fortnight. The report is due to be completed by September.
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