Brisbane City Council goes age friendly

The needs of older people could be incorporated into the design of key public places and nursing home developments prioritised, under a new Brisbane City Council plan to encourage older people across the city.

Council has released the findings of the Lord Mayor’s Taskforce into retirement and aged care and is seeking public comment.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman initiated the review of housing and services for the aged in September to keep older members of society in their own neighbourhoods.

“Quality of life is important to residents of all ages and I am concerned that people should not be taken out of their comfort zone just because they require aged care,” Cr Newman said.

He said cost and planning pressures meant retirement homes were often located towards the outskirts of Brisbane, separating the elderly from friends.

Older People Speak Out president Val French said it was an important issue and they were looking at innovative ways to increase the amount and diversity of accommodation for the aged.

“It’s very bad for them to have to pick up and go away from their networks,” she said.

“It’s harder to make friends as you get older.”

The report predicted that by 2026 almost 156,000 people in Brisbane would be 65 or older, an increase of 41,000 on today’s population.

The report and an on-line survey can be found at http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au