Grandparents' Day 2010
Media release
4 November 2010
National Seniors Australia (NSA) is urging all levels of government to not merely acknowledge the significant role of grandparents but to address the legal and financial shortfalls a growing number of grandparents are facing.
Chief executive officer for NSA Michael O’Neill said today that Queensland had taken a step in the right direction by having the first day set aside to honour Grandparents on Sunday November 7.
“Grandparents are a national treasure and deserve to be honoured and thanked for their contribution to the community on so many levels,” Mr O’Neill said.
“But the days of grandparents as the elderly couple who handed out sweeties and read bedtime stories to the grandchildren are no longer the norm for many.
“An emerging issue in intergenerational relations in Australia is the significant number (14,000 in 2006) of grandparents raising their own grandchildren,” Mr O’Neill said.
“While there are many benefits to be gained for both grandparents and children as a result of cross generational care, there are simultaneously a number of issues that need to be resolved to maximise these benefits.
“Adverse consequences for those engaged in the primary care of their grandchildren arise in many areas such as financial, legal, health, housing and safety.
“Legal ambiguities mean that grandparents often have the day to day responsibility for caring for their grandchildren yet lack the authority to make significant decisions on their behalf,” Mr O’Neill said.
This was particularly true with respect to health and education issues. Financially older people often relied on low incomes or pensions which were not designed to cover the costs of childrearing, he said.
NSA is calling for the establishment of respite designed specifically for carer grandparents, a central point for grandparents to readily access information and support, plus measures that will address legal and financial obstacles.
Attention: Interview and photo opp with Janet Goessling (member of National Seniors Australia) – and grandparent who is running a grandparent support group in Cairns for those grandparents raising grandchildren.
4 November 2010
Grandparents’ Day – needs to be more than just a “thank you”
National Seniors Australia (NSA) is urging all levels of government to not merely acknowledge the significant role of grandparents but to address the legal and financial shortfalls a growing number of grandparents are facing.
Chief executive officer for NSA Michael O’Neill said today that Queensland had taken a step in the right direction by having the first day set aside to honour Grandparents on Sunday November 7.
“Grandparents are a national treasure and deserve to be honoured and thanked for their contribution to the community on so many levels,” Mr O’Neill said.
“But the days of grandparents as the elderly couple who handed out sweeties and read bedtime stories to the grandchildren are no longer the norm for many.
“An emerging issue in intergenerational relations in Australia is the significant number (14,000 in 2006) of grandparents raising their own grandchildren,” Mr O’Neill said.
“While there are many benefits to be gained for both grandparents and children as a result of cross generational care, there are simultaneously a number of issues that need to be resolved to maximise these benefits.
“Adverse consequences for those engaged in the primary care of their grandchildren arise in many areas such as financial, legal, health, housing and safety.
“Legal ambiguities mean that grandparents often have the day to day responsibility for caring for their grandchildren yet lack the authority to make significant decisions on their behalf,” Mr O’Neill said.
This was particularly true with respect to health and education issues. Financially older people often relied on low incomes or pensions which were not designed to cover the costs of childrearing, he said.
NSA is calling for the establishment of respite designed specifically for carer grandparents, a central point for grandparents to readily access information and support, plus measures that will address legal and financial obstacles.
Michael O’Neill is available for interview.
Media contacts: 07 3233 9105 or 07 3233 9135
Attention: Interview and photo opp with Janet Goessling (member of National Seniors Australia) – and grandparent who is running a grandparent support group in Cairns for those grandparents raising grandchildren.
In this section
Login to update your details, renew membership or make a donation.