Meeting the challenge ahead
A series of consultation sessions to help the NSW government develop a new Whole of Government Ageing strategy to enhance the lives of older residents will be held in January next year. The consultations, following the Ageing Roundtable at Parliament House in September, will be held with peak ageing bodies, advocates and the community.
A series of consultation sessions to help the NSW government develop a new Whole of Government Ageing strategy to enhance the lives of older residents will be held in January next year.
The consultations, following the Ageing Roundtable at Parliament House in September, will be held with peak ageing bodies, advocates and the community.
“To make the strategy a success, we need to hear from a wide range of communities – that is why sessions will be held in metropolitan areas as well as the west, south and north of the state,” NSW Minister for Ageing, Andrew Constance, explains.
The consultations are reportedly a way to ensure the issues of ageing and older persons are brought into the “mainstream of policy-making”.
“The strategy will be guided by the principles of independence, participation, care, self-fulfilment and dignity in its policies and programs,” Ms Constance says.
A summary paper has also been released which outlines key findings from September’s Roundtable, which included a number of priority areas such as social inclusion, health, housing, transport and mature workers.
Other priority areas included volunteering and attitudes to ageing and planning for later life.
“The contribution older people make through volunteering, mentoring, community-based activities and in the workplace is immense – and while many live active and healthy lives, the fact remains we need a fresh approach to meet the challenges ahead,” Mr Constance says.
