Page 3511 - Week 10 - Tuesday, 12 September 2017
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use their phones to ensure they can access information and remain connected. It is through ensuring that our seniors remain connected that we can ensure they are independent, able to make informed decisions and able to make best use of our wonderful city.
Supporting the respect and social inclusion of seniors is a core priority for this government. Participating in social, sporting, cultural and spiritual activities in the community allows older people to maintain or to establish supportive relationships and to stay informed. Active participation is also linked to good physical and mental health and lifelong wellbeing.
From 22 to 30 October 2016, the ACT government coordinated Grandparents Week celebrations. The week provided a range of events, programs and activities to promote interaction between generations of Canberrans.
This year, the government sponsored ACT Seniors Week celebrations. During the week, seniors participated in a range of events and activities throughout the Canberra region, including film screenings, dance performances and technology seminars. Seniors Week celebrations included a seniors expo which attracted around 3,000 older Canberrans and more than 150 exhibitors providing information on a variety of topics, including leisure, travel, health and community services.
The positive ageing awards, presented during the Seniors Week celebrations, recognised older Canberrans and community groups who contribute to the life of the community, ensuring that those who are out there to help increase the quality of life of our older Canberrans are celebrated. The 2017 Life’s Reflections photographic competition was launched during Seniors Week. The competition invited the whole community to capture images of positive ageing and intergenerational relationships in Canberra. If I can momentarily put on one of my other hats, as Minister for the Arts, I know that the arts and photography are just another way that we can promote discussion and inclusion with the older people in our lives, as so many treasured memories are held, communicated and created through this medium.
The ACT government continues to fund the Council on the Ageing ACT to provide the ACT seniors card program. Around 68,000 ACT residents currently hold a seniors card, which provides them with access to benefits and discounts on a wide range of goods and services across Canberra. The scheme assists and encourages seniors to be active participants in the social and economic life of the city and recognises the valuable contribution of older people in their community.
Community and health services play a vital role in supporting older Canberrans to maintain good physical and mental health. This is then a key determinant in an older person’s ability to socialise and engage in community life.
In March 2017, the ACT’s response to the seniors health round table report was released. The seniors health round table was held in May 2016, and was attended by 70 delegates and 36 organisations, representing a range of views from the health sector and various community groups from across the ACT. The majority of the recommendations which emerged from the seniors health round table report are
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