Age-Friendly Strategy Supports Seniors

Other cities in the global network of age-friendly cities are: New York City, NY, USA; Manchester, UK; Brussels, Belgium; Geneva, Switzerland; Donostia-San Sebastiàn, Spain; Louth County, Ireland; London, Canada; and Portland, Oregon.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the global network was part of a broader response to the rapid ageing of populations around the world, as well as in the City of Melville.

"The network will allow cities from around the world to learn from each others' experiences and to develop practical solutions to the challenges facing older people.  These can range from the very simple, such as more street seating and greater access to toilets, to the more ambitious, such as greater IT connectivity,” he said.

As a result of the WHO announcement, a new three-year strategy will be implemented to improve the lives of the over 65s who represent 18.6 percent of the population in the City.

The Age-Friendly Strategy: Directions for Seniors 2010 – 2012 was developed through consultation with local seniors, carers, service providers and businesses. It builds on steps that were undertaken between 2007 and 2009.

Mayor Russell Aubrey said the City of Melville’s vision for an age-friendly City was one where seniors were able to live safely, enjoy good health and participate fully in their communities.

“The strategy aims to remove the barriers that people encounter as they grow older, by ensuring that policies, services and structures are designed to support seniors,” he said.

“We are determined to take a leading role in making sure the City is well-prepared and positioned for the impact of an ageing population.”

In formulating the strategy, seniors, carers, service providers and businesses informed the City that the key areas of challenge were in the areas of: Community Support and Health Services; Transport; Housing; Respect and Inclusion and Social Participation.

Specific examples of concerns included: fears about safety on trains at night; a preference for traditional mail over electronic communication; a desire to downsize the existing home but a belief there is a lack of suitable smaller detached homes or units in the City of Melville; and a desire for designated seniors parking at all shopping centres.

The Mayor added that seniors in the City of Melville had responded very positively to the age-friendly strategy.

“Seniors’ attendance at workshops, information sessions and events is strong and they have indicated they are keen to stay involved with the process of consultation, and that Council’s interest in providing services for seniors has improved,” he said.

“In addition, our work with the World Health Organisation (WHO) was the catalyst for developing a more formalised approach.”

The following programs have been introduced as a direct result of the new strategy:

·         Seniors Forums - bi-monthly information sessions on topics that seniors have told us are important to them such as: Housing Options; Safety; Health issues including arthritis; diabetes; Asthma; Incontinence;

·         Producing a Seniors Safety Booklet in partnership with Office of Crime Prevention

·         Providing grant funding and support for establishment of a mall walking group at a neighbourhood shopping centre (Bull Creek);

·         Establishment of a local seniors physical activity group at Willagee;

·         Support the establishment of a community shed   

·         Working with local community groups to investigate feasibility of co-location of groups such as Wood Turners in a Men's shed.

·         Hosting numerous local neighbourhood events ensuring seniors are considered in the planning

·         Implementing a plan to upgrade public toilets

·         Working with local businesses as part of the Your Welcome project to promote accessible facilities in close proximity to river foreshore areas around the City

·         Resolving a major issue for a local retirement village when residents were having to navigate across a major highway to access public transport - re routing of the public transport route in closer proximity to the retirement village and off the major highway

·         Involving seniors in local community art projects

·         Establishment of a gardening club at a local community centre

·         Magic Mystery Tours - seniors education tours on public transport

·         Go Wild at Willagee and Bull Creek - a week of activities at community centres and in local neighbourhoods to provide opportunities for seniors to participate in a range of different experiences including: entertainment; arts; physical activity; and technology.

“The City will continue to participate at an international level through our inclusion in the WHO Network of Age-Friendly Cities. This commits us to a cycle of continual assessment and improvement, along with other municipalities across the world,” the Mayor said.