PUBLIC comment is being sought on Great Lakes Council’s Active Ageing Strategy.
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The strategy will be on public exhibition until Friday, September 26.
In February the council partnered with COTA NSW, formerly known as the Council on the Ageing, to develop a strategy and three-year action plan for the Great Lakes.
Four months later, in June, the results from community consultation were presented to the council and a draft strategy was created.
The document, now on public exhibition, outlines a number of “actions” within outdoor spaces and buildings; transportation; housing; social participation; respect and social inclusion; civic participation and employment; communication and information; and social support and health services.
“The actions within the strategy identify what council can do, what others can do and what you can do,” Lyndie Hepple, the council’s community services
co-ordinator, said.
“It’s important to realise that becoming age-friendly involves the whole community and that individuals can take some proactive steps themselves to become, and stay connected to the community.
“The World Health Organisation defines active ageing as ‘the process of optimising opportunities for health, participation and security in order to enhance quality of life as people age’.
“So it’s about shifting the way society thinks about ageing from a medical model – illness, incapacity, care – to a social model – inclusion, participation, contribution.”
The council is inviting feedback. The strategy can be downloaded from greatlakes.nsw.gov.au or hard copies are available at the council offices and libraries. Deadline for submissions is September 26.