It's more common than you think!
Did you know that 93% of adults over the age of 65 have at least one chronic condition. And 79% have two or more. Our society is designed for able-bodied and healthy people, so it's no wonder that many people keep quiet when facing a chronic condition.
You might feel like you're the only person you know who needs a colostomy bag, or incontinence-wear, or a joint replacement, for example. But in New Zealand...
• approximately 7000 people have a colostomy bag,
• 50% of women aged 50-74 experience incontinence,
• and in 2023, there were 27,238 joint replacement procedures.
These numbers are not insignificant! So while you might not feel "normal" when living with a chronic condition, remember that you're certainly not "abnormal".
Regardless of what age you are, the only thing standing between being able-bodied or not is luck. Yes, we can take measures to stay healthy well into our later years, but our well-being is outside our control. It's time to normalise speaking out about topics that are often seen as hard to talk about, so people don't feel ashamed when trying to fit into a society that isn't designed for them.
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Poll: Do you set New Year’s resolutions?
🎉 2026 is almost here!
We’re curious ... how do you welcome it?
Do you set resolutions, follow special traditions, or just go with the flow?
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10.3% Yes! New Year, New Me
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20.1% Yes - but I rarely stick to them
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69.6% Nah - not for me
Poll: 🗑️ Would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Aucklanders, our weekly rubbish collections are staying after councillors voted to scrap a proposed trial of fortnightly pick-ups.
We want to hear from you: would you be keen to switch to a fortnightly rubbish collection, or do you prefer things as they are?
Keen for the details? Read up about the scrapped collection trial here.
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85.6% Same!
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14.4% Would have liked to try something different
Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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78.7% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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21.3% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
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