NSW Ageing Strategy Released
10 July 2012 at 11:31 am
The NSW has launched an Ageing Strategy including $500,000 to fund low cost training programs to help seniors become “tech savvy”.
A new grants program will also be established as part of the strategy to help local councils build age-friendly communities.
The Local Government Shires Association will administer a funding pool of $550,000 to assist councils with infrastructure, focussing on accessible town centres.
A new helpline focused on the abuse of older people will be established as part of the strategy.
“For a long time people have been calling for a helpline to tackle this issue, particularly financial and psychological abuse,” the Minister for Ageing Andrew Constance said.
“The new service will help older people, front line service providers, families and carers end abuse and is a step towards preventing it before it occurs.”
Other aspects of the NSW Ageing Strategy include:
- The Seniors Card Program to be expanded to include government information and information on local community activities
- A program to promote physical and recreational activities
- The Government will promote the independence and safety of older people as they move from driving to other forms of transport
- The Government to establish an open dialogue with the private sector to maximise the commercial opportunities as a result of the population ageing
“Combined Pensioners and Superannuants of NSW (CPSA) is very pleased that the NSW Ageing Strategy includes provisions for an elder abuse helpline,” Research/Policy Officer Amelia Christie said.
“Practical, positive action against the abuse of older people is long overdue and is something that CPSA has been campaigning for.
“Around 50,000 people aged over 65 are being abused in NSW, according to a study by the Australian Institute of Criminology, and this figure could be significantly higher depending on the definition of ‘abuse’ used.
“Abuse of older people goes beyond physical abuse and includes sexual, psychological and emotional abuse. Financial abuse and neglect are the most common forms and often the most difficult to detect. This is exacerbated by the fact that the abuse of older people often occurs within relationships built on trust. It is often committed by family members making it more difficult for an outsider to detect and more difficult for an older person to speak out about,” Christie said.
