Accommodation for seniors in regions a critical issue, Duncan

Author: Wendy Duncan
Published on: 17-May-2010

Seniors from all over the State gathered in Esperance over the weekend for their annual National Seniors’ Australia conference.

The conference, which was officially opened by Member for Mining and Pastoral, Wendy Duncan MLC, considered research outcomes and policy options in view of the current debate about Australia’s aging population.

“In the five years to June 2008 the number of people aged 65 and over increased by 11.8% to reach 2.8 million. By 2047 one quarter of all Australians will be aged over 65,” Ms Duncan said.

The changing demographics have been described by renowned Australian demographer Bernard Salt as a “demographic tsunami” and Professor Martin Bell from the University of Queensland Centre of Population Research has ranked it alongside the Industrial Revolution for its impact on society.

“This should not be seen as gloom and doom for Australia,” Ms Duncan said, “rather an opportunity to make use of the knowledge, energy and experience of older generation.”

“Seniors have the ability to contribute to the economy well into their later years through their amazing contribution to volunteering, through more innovative and imaginative ways to work, and through mentoring and training others.”

“Bernard Salt is right in observing that baby boomers are quite determined to age differently to the way their parents aged. They will not remain silent and isolated. They are educated, energetic, articulate and well organized, so the powers that be must take their needs into account.”

Ms Duncan praised the Shire of Esperance for its focus on seniors through appropriate accommodation, focus on accessibility, support for seniors’ activities and Esperance Home and Community Care.

Seniors at the conference were delighted with the news that the Royalties for Regions Country Aged Pensioner Fuel Card was being extended to more areas as well as to Disability Pensioners and Carers.

“The next big challenge for seniors in regional areas is appropriate accommodation. It is just not acceptable that seniors are shipped hundreds of kilometers away from their family and
friends when they are no longer able to remain in their own home.”

“Seniors have a powerful voice in the political spectrum and I urge them to use this to call on
the Federal government to fund more aged care facilities in regional Western Australia.”