Positive ageing from the grassroots up
The grassroot ‘positive ageing’ movement is alive and well, following the success of UnitingCare Ageing New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory’s recent campaign to promote greater respect for older people.
This year’s Respect for Seniors campaign, which is only one year old, grew to involve 18 congregations from its simple beginnings of just one congregation.
Director of UnitingCare Ageing, Gillian McFee, said that Respect for Seniors was an extension of their Elder Abuse Awareness Day celebrations, which promoted a similar message of equality for our most vulnerable.
“What happens in our community with an increasing ageing population is that we tend to discriminate against the aged,” said Ms McFee.
Students from Abottsleigh and St Ives High School also participated in an ‘Elders Interview’ day with former Abbotsleigh headmistress, Judith Wheeldon. Five students asked Ms Wheeldon poignant questions about her past experiences and opinions of ageing, for the listening pleasure of the entire congregation.
Ms McFee said that the intergenerational conversation encouraged the day’s younger attendees to consider a different, more accepting perspective on ageing.
Ambassador for Ageing, Noeline Brown, who also spoke at the event, stressed the importance and contribution of this nation’s seniors.
Ms McFee said emphasised the importance of grassroot campaigns and community involvement in the promotion of the positive ageing cause.
“The importance of a grass roots movement is to promote anti-ageism and support the principle of social inclusion.”
In association with UnitingCare Ageing Northern Sydney Region, Pennant Hills Uniting Church is developing an audio-resource and associated kit based on research into the childhood Christian memories of about 1,000 older Australians from different locations and denominations.
The resource will consist of the hymns, choruses, prayers, Bible passages etcetera, most commonly mentioned by respondents to the survey. They will be recorded on a small, easy-to-use electronic device called Megavoice.
The survey may be filled in electronically and returned by email, or may be completed by hand on hard copy. The researchers would like to have many more people from all denominations respond to the survey so that our data-base is as comprehensive as possible.
If you would like a copy of the survey email fsharpe@bigpond.net.au
