Page 5703 - Week 15 - Thursday, 10 December 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Positive ageing focuses on maximising the quality of life in our older years. We know this can be achieved by establishing and maintaining social relationships to reduce social isolation and by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and remaining active members of the community. Lifelong planning for our older years is also a key element of positive ageing, where one aspires to enter retirement or semi-retirement in good shape, physically, socially and financially.
The ACT strategic plan for positive ageing is organised under seven priorities that were identified in our consultations and reflects, also, the critical features of the World Health Organisation’s age-friendly cities guide. The first of these priorities is information and communication. The theme of accessible information was pre-eminent throughout our consultations. The strategy clearly lays out the actions to be taken to enable older Canberrans to more easily access information about healthy living, retirement planning, support services and products, entitlements, community groups and clubs. The community have made it clear that this information needs to be available in a range of formats and media.
At the same time, the strategy recognises the importance of providing learning opportunities for seniors wishing to increase their skills in the use of modern communication technology, such as the internet. We have undertaken to work with the commonwealth government, community organisations and business groups to better coordinate and promote information that is relevant to and useful for older people and their families. Next year the Office for Ageing will be developing a comprehensive online ACT seniors information portal.
The second priority is health and wellbeing. This reflects the aim to assist people maintain their health and wellbeing across their lifespan and to allow seniors to age positively and to actively participate in the community. In addition to investing in general and aged-care specific health services, this government also appreciates the importance of programs that motivate people to participate in community activities. The question, or dilemma, of getting motivated was a recurring theme throughout our discussions with older Canberrans. The wellbeing of seniors is greatly improved by the reduction of social isolation. The government will continue to address this issue by using, for example, the seniors grants program to develop activities that encourage greater social participation.
The plan’s third priority is respect, valuing and safety. This reflects our determination to assist seniors to feel respected and valued and to provide an environment in which they feel safe and secure. Actions in the plan include the promotion of positive images and intergenerational activities. In this way, both young and old are given the opportunity to respect each other through greater understanding and appreciation of each other’s experiences and perspectives. It is an important ambition that older people be considered as elders rather than elderly. Current initiatives which aim to increasing personal and property safety include ACT Policing safety for seniors program and the home safety program. In addition, the government is preparing to legislate for a better system of police background checking for those who work with vulnerable older people.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video