Page 2995 - Week 08 - Thursday, 25 June 2009
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The government continues to work with community housing providers about the future development of aged persons accommodation and to explore new models of accommodation, such as the apartments for life model.
We will work with the housing industry to develop universal design guidelines for the territory and work towards universal design targets for new detached housing. As a government we have heard that we need to encourage and support people to look at creative solutions to meet their needs, such as the use of granny flats, prefabricated dwellings, extensions and dual occupancies in existing and new suburbs. These and other housing-related initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to establishing a housing system that meets the challenges of an ageing population.
However, there is more to living independently than just having a roof over one’s head. As we age, we increasingly appreciate, and often rely on, assistance from family, friends and neighbours. Sometimes we also require access to more formal services to maintain active and relatively independent lives.
In addition to ACT government-provided services such as the independent living centre and the ACT equipment scheme, the government funds a range of services to assist older people to remain in their homes, including home and community care services such as Meals on Wheels.
The government recognises the value of culturally appropriate aged-care services, including the need for cross-cultural training for aged-care workers and relevant service providers.
A recurrent theme in the consultations was the importance of having a choice of appropriate and accessible support services.
Interestingly, one of the issues raised by the community was not a lack of services but the need to better coordinate and promote what one person described as “the dizzying array of services” that are currently available. The theme of more accessible information was pre-eminent through the consultations. I have heard how people appreciate the government shopfronts and the Canberra Connect information line.
Our public libraries, including the home library service, are another valuable source of information for seniors. Libraries provide free access to the internet and a world of books, magazines, newspapers and music. Our libraries provide seniors with training on how to use new technology so they can benefit from access to online services. They also provide a range of large print and multilingual books. We know from research that many people who spend their formative years overseas may revert to their first language as they age.
The government is currently exploring the concept of the virtual village service cooperative model or community access network. Such a network would enable older Canberrans to safely access a variety of services, such as approved home maintenance services, to assist them to stay in their own home. The key benefit of this type of network would be that older Canberrans could remain in the community.
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