The Palaszczuk Government is one step closer to making Queensland a more age-friendly community, after receiving more than 9,000 responses to a public survey which closed last week, as part of a new seniors strategy.

A visit to Brisbane by world leading authority on ageing, Professor Alexandre Kalache, provided an opportunity for him to meet with Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke to discuss the survey results and the new strategy – ‘Queensland: an age-friendly community’, today.

“Professor Kalache pioneered the concept of ‘active ageing’ and developed the Global Movement on Age Friendly Cities while he was the head of the World Health Organisation’s Ageing and Life Course Program,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Now the Director of the International Centre for Policies on Ageing in Brazil, Professor Kalache continues to help build a deeper appreciation within communities for the contribution and needs of older people.

“I was delighted to meet with Professor Kalache to discuss our new strategy and how to increase our activities to develop, implement and promote the age-friendly approach in Queensland.”

Mrs O’Rourke said the results gathered from the survey would influence the new strategy and provide direction for Queensland Government policies and programs.

“The survey highlighted many key issues, such as access to transport, employment and information technology – all of which are vital to supporting and growing an age-friendly community and addressing social isolation experienced by many older Queenslanders,” she said.

“Queensland seniors have contributed their working lives to our state, building our economy, communities and families, and it is important that we value their contributions and knowledge.”

Professor Kalache said an age-friendly city considered liveability from all aspects and looked at it through an older person’s lens – from public transportation, housing and opportunities for work and education to civil participation, engagement and access to services and public spaces.

“The age-friendly community translates into practice using the Active Ageing paradigm which is a process that optimises opportunities for health, participation, lifelong learning and security,” he said.

“It is meant to foster intergenerational solidarity and harmony.

“Above all it considers that if policies are friendly to older persons they will be friendly to all.

“I am delighted the Queensland Government has so positively answered our call to adopt an active ageing approach to policies across the board.”

To find out more about the strategy, support and services for seniors, visit www.qld.gov.au/seniors

Source
Media Statements
Minister for Disability Services, Seniors and Assisting the Premier on North Queensland, The Honourable Coralee O’Rourke
Thursday, March 17, 2016