Guest Speaker Highlights Age-Friendly Approach

Held every two years in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), the Commonwealth People’s Forum is the single biggest opportunity for civil society to engage with Commonwealth leaders on global development issues.

Speaking to 36 delegates at the City of Melville’s Civic Centre, WHO Director Department of Ageing and Life Course and Director Department of Gender, Women Dr John Beard, MBSS PhD, warned the world needed to prepare for a rapidly ageing population.

“This is not just a developed nations’ problem, people living longer is happening in the undeveloped nations too. Many people born today will easily live to be 100 years of age,”

Dr Beard said.

“To address the ageing population, the five factors our societies need are: health promotion across the course of life; good quality primary health care; financial security; age-friendly environments and rethinking ageing.

“We need to stop putting barriers in front of people. For instance, we stop people working by a certain age and once they retire, we marginalise them and say they are a burden - this is a terrible waste of resources.”

In July 2010, the City of Melville was recognised with Age-Friendly status by WHO. City of Melville Mayor Russell Aubrey thanked Dr Beard and said the City was proud to play host to a Commonwealth People’s Forum event and be part of a global network of age-friendly cities.

"The global network allows cities to learn from one another’s experiences and 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.

“Our vision for an Age-Friendly City is one where seniors are able to live safely, enjoy good health and participate fully in their communities. 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.

“The City’s Age-Friendly Strategy: Directions for Seniors 2010 – 2012 was developed through consultation with local seniors, carers, service providers and businesses and aims to remove the barriers that people encounter as they grow older, by ensuring that policies, services and structures are designed to support seniors.

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

For further information visit www.melvillecity.com.au/seniors or contact 1300 635 845.