An Age-Friendly City Plan has been launched to support Canberra’s ongoing development as an inclusive city that values the contributions and involvement of older people.
Announced by the Minister for Seniors and Veterans, Gordon Ramsay, the focus of the Plan is on practical achievements that address the barriers older Canberrans face in living free from abuse, staying mobile, remaining socially connected and having good access to services.
“Older members of our community are an asset for our city, we can all learn from their knowledge and experience,” Mr Ramsay said.
“They make enormous contributions to our society through caring for family and friends, volunteering, advisory roles and broader community participation,” he said.
“In turn, it is our duty to ensure that older Canberrans are acknowledged, heard and cared for and that we adapt our services to suit their needs as their journey through life continues.”
Mr Ramsay said the plan highlighted the active role the ACT Government is to take to counter elder abuse and ensure the city’s services and public infrastructure supported older Canberrans.
He said actions under the plan included a campaign to encourage local businesses to provide employment opportunities for older Canberrans; the introduction of legislation that made elder abuse a criminal offence; and a strategy which supported the mental health and well-being of older Canberrans
He said the plan would also work to make ACT Government shopfronts and local areas dementia-friendly and continue the roll-out of the Age Friendly Suburbs Program.
Further information on the Age-Friendly-City Plan can be accessed at this PS News link.
