Standing up for Victorian seniors

A new Commissioner for older Victorians will be established to boost community participation of seniors in the state and develop an age friendly society.

The Victorian Coalition government will establish the new Commissioner for Senior Victorians, with Minister for Ageing, David Davis, stating the Commissioner was a key recommendation adopted from a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into opportunities for participation for Victorian seniors.

“The Coalition government recognises the important contribution that older people have made, and continue to make, to the community,” Mr Davis said.

By 2051, it is projected that 22% of the Victorian population will be people aged 65 years and over and 8% will be aged over 80 years.

“As our population is ageing, we are also aware of the challenges facing older Victorians such as increasing demand on health and support services, social isolation and keeping active,” he added.

The new part time Commissioner will chair a Ministerial Advisory Committee for Senior Victorians to ensure better understanding of the needs of older people.

Mr Davis last week tabled the Victorian government’s response to the Family and Community Development Committee report on the Inquiry into Opportunities for Participation of Victorian Seniors.

“The aim of this inquiry was to respond to the needs of our ageing population and create age friendly communities that support older Victorians to participate fully in society,” Mr Davis said.

The new Ministerial Advisory Committee will develop a whole of government older person’s action plan, detailing strategies and actions underway across departments to address participation of older people and coordinate the plan across government.

Mr Davis said the new Commissioner and Ministerial Advisory Committee came on top of a range of Coalition Government initiatives already underway to boost community participation and the health and wellbeing of older people.

“The Improving Liveability for Older People Initiative is helping services plan activities that increase social participation in small towns with a significant ageing population,” he said.

“We are helping isolated culturally diverse seniors get involved in their local communities through the Participation for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Seniors Grants Program.

“We have also established the Seniors Online website and are tackling elder abuse through the Elder Abuse Prevention and Response Guidelines for Action 2012-14.”

There is also continuing funding for the popular Seniors Card program, the Victorian Seniors Festival and the Home and Community Care program supporting seniors to live independently at home.

“We see the establishment of a Commissioner for Senior Victorians as another positive step in making a difference to the quality of life for older people in Victoria.”

The Commissioner will report to the Minister for Ageing and the achievements of the Commissioner will be included in the Department of Health’s annual report to the Victorian Parliament.