My Account
Today it is 13 degrees! Winter is upon us again and I must admit I am one of those people who do not enjoy the cold weather. I find it hard to get and stay warm and am already longing for summer to return. I put it down to being born in Fiji, and a lifetime of living in New Zealand has not changed my internal thermometer. As I look at my household bills it is also rather obvious that winter is a more expensive season – what with electricity, gas, heating, clothing, bedding and medical expenses. How are you coping this winter?
Social survey begins
Grey Power is an active organisation that protects the rights of citizens aged 50 and over and seeks to improve their living standards and benefits. The welfare of superannuitants is of particular concern and we conducted a survey in 2003, 2006 and 2010 to ascertain any improvements or worsening conditions. In view of the coming elections, Grey Power has recently put out the same survey again to find out how superannuitants are managing in their current financial circumstances.
The survey is quite comprehensive and asks questions that require a simple yes or no answer. For instance, among the questions are: can you afford to go to the doctor, get your prescriptions filled, have medical, house and contents insurance, pay your rates and for any needed repairs to your home, have adequate heating and so on. The survey also asks if you are on a hospital waiting list and, if so, how long have you been waiting. At least 3000 completed surveys are required to give an accurate picture of the living standards of older people and we would be grateful for as many responses as possible from Hibiscus Coast’s older residents.
To download this survey, go to the Grey Power website www.greypower.co.nz and on the right hand side of the first page, click on 2017 GP survey. Print it off, fill it in and post to Social Services, Grey Power, PO Box 272-1719, Papakura, Auckland 2244.
Thank you for taking the time to do this.
