Abstract:
As is the case in most developed nations, a significant proportion of New Zealand's older people experience mental health issues in their everyday lives. This chapter aims to provide an outline of 'mental health and older adults' in the New Zealand context. this background snapshot provides a foundation for the New Zealand landscape on this topic. Cultural iniatives and legislative acts are highlighted alongside current programmes in mental health for older people. Challenges around care for older people with mental health issues abound due to wide-ranging complexities surrounding their care and treatment; there is also limited subject-specific research being undetaken. Urgently needed are new approaches to economic planning, health care and welfare support, retirement policies, innovative living space arrangements and inter-generational relations alongside the promotion of contructive views on ageing.