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Handwriting is crucial for development For most of us handwriting is a task we take for granted. We don’t consider how much goes in to it, nor do we think about the implications of not mastering this skill.
Handwriting is a complex process. It involves:
Today with technology we increasingly use typing in place of handwriting. Although typing and technology are useful tools handwriting has many benefits. According to research three areas of the brain light up in a highly coordinated way when a person is handwriting and no such activity is observed with typing. The physical act of handwriting helps improve:
Children who struggle to write by hand often avoid it or are encouraged to type instead. Unfortunately they then miss out on all the benefits derived from handwriting and from gaining help for the underlining cause of their difficulty, which may include problems with:
These functions are necessary for many other life skills and activities, eg tying shoe laces, using a knife and fork, dressing and grooming Occupational Therapists are experts in improving handwriting and hand skills. If you know a child who is struggling with their handwriting contact us at Therapy Professionals as our friendly Occupational Therapist can help. Just contact us: Phone: 03 377 5280 Email: [email protected] Website: www.therapyprofessionals.co.nz Transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people reduced Author: Russell Palmer The government is cutting transport subsidies for elderly and disabled people from 75 percent to 65 percent.
The Total Mobility scheme provides discounted taxis and public transport fares for those with long-term impairments. Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Disability Minister Louise Upston said when the previous Labour government boosted the scheme from a 50 percent subsidy in 2022, it did not account for increased demand. The number of registered users had increased from 108,000 to 120,000 between 2022 and 2024/25, and the number of trips increased from 1.8 million in 2018 to 3 million in 2024/25. Bishop said the increased demand now meant the scheme was close to exceeding the funding provided by $236m sometime over the five years to 2030. "The subsidy is split between the government and public transport authorities - local councils and the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) - and provides an important service for the people who use the scheme," he said. "This is yet another fiscal cliff left to us that we are having to correct and fix. Today, the government is announcing decisions to stabilise the Total Mobility scheme so that the disability community is supported in a financially sustainable way, by all funding partners." This would be done by reducing the subsidy from 75 percent to 65 percent, something the Transport Agency would work towards. The reduced costs to the Crown would be recycled back to public transport authorities to reduce the 2025 to 2030 shortfall, with the government also providing $10m. Upston said they wanted to "stabilise" the scheme's funding pressures "in a way that ensures financial sustainability, consistency in how the service is delivered, and fairness across New Zealand". She said the government would release a discussion document to consult on further changes to the scheme "to ensure fairer, consistent and more sustainable access to services for people with the greatest need". Labour's Priyanca Radhakrishnan says today's changes mean disabled New Zealanders paying more to get to work, attend appointments or see loved ones. She said the government was making life harder and more expensive for disabled New Zealanders by making the cuts in a cost-of-living crisis. "Slashing subsidised transport at a time when people are already struggling is out of touch especially from a government that promised to ease the cost-of-living and has instead made it worse. "Disability communities feel betrayed. First came the overnight cut to flexible funding. Then restrictions on residential care with no warning. Then Whaikaha was gutted and disability support shifted to the Ministry of Social Development. Now, the transport subsidy many rely on to live independently has been cut." She said affordable transport was not a nice-to-have for many disabled New Zealanders, but a lifeline that meant independence, dignity, and the ability to participate in everyday life - which was why Labour had increased the subsidy in 2022. Ref: RNZ 16 December 2026 https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/581995/transport-subsidies-for-elderly-and-disabled-people-reduced Having Trouble Sleeping as you Age Many of us experience changes in our sleeping as we age. We may find it hard getting to and staying asleep, or waking early unrefreshed, making us feel sleepy and sluggish during the day. Research suggests most of the sleep problems among the elderly are because of physical and psychological health problems and the medications used to treat them. Lack of sleep contributes to falls, car accidents, sensitivity to pain and a poor quality of life.
The amount of sleep required by each person varies from 7-9 hours. It’s not the time sleeping that matters, it’s how you feel when you wake that’s important. There are a number of stages to sleep, dreamless periods of light sleep and deep active dreaming sleep (REM sleep). This cycle is repeated several times during the night and although total sleep time tends to remain constant, as we age we spend more time in the lighter stages of sleep than in deep sleep, which is more refreshing. This contributes to wakefulness during the night. Generally as we age we go to bed earlier and wake earlier. Here are a few tips to improve your sleep 1) Go to bed and get up about the same time every day. 2) Ensure you have a comfortable bed and bedding. 3) Have a bed time ritual that’s relaxing eg reading, deep breathing, listening to music, having a hot bath or shower. 4) Have a cool, dark and quiet bedroom to sleep in. 5) If your partner snores wear earplugs. 6) Keep your bedroom for sleep and sex only (no screens). 7) Stop looking at screens (TV and computers) about an hour before going to bed (the light tricks your mind into believing it’s day time). 8) Eat dinner at least three hours before bed. If you need a light snack avoid sweet snacks and those containing caffeine, instead have crackers and cheese or milk. 9) Don’t drink after dinner and go to the loo before bed so you don’t need to go through the night 10) Stop your caffeine intake at lunch time (coffee, fizzy drinks and chocolate). 11) Reduce your alcohol intake and stop at dinner time. If you’re having a great deal of trouble with sleeping stop drinking alcohol. 12) Get some vigorous exercise during the day, early afternoon is best and not in the evening, as this will keep you awake. 13) Vitamin D helps with sleep. Ensure you get enough from sunlight, your diet or supplements. 14) If you have a bad night’s sleep don’t worry, just try and go to bed at your usual time the next night. This will help keep your circadian rhythm on track. 15) If you are still awake after 20 minutes get up and do something quiet like reading. Keep light to a minimum and return to bed when you feel sleepy. 16) If you need a nap during the day, do so early in the afternoon and for about 20 minutes. 17) Reduce the stress in your life and don’t do anything that upsets you before bed. 18) Take any medication as and when prescribed. 19) If you have a health problem that interferes with your sleep eg Arthritic pain, reflux or a breathing problem, discuss this with your Doctor. Still not sleeping If after trying these tips for some weeks you’re still not sleeping well talk to your Doctor as you may:
Sleeping is important for our overall functioning, so take the time to think about your sleeping habits. Happy sleeping from the team at Therapy Professionals Ltd. References: Lecture by Dr Alex Bartle “Sleep Disorders In the Elderly” https://www.helpguide.org/articles/sleep/how-to-sleep-well-as-you-age.htm?pdf=13837 |
AuthorShonagh O'Hagan Archives
March 2026
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