Challenge of ageing population - A 10 year plan
The City of Melbourne has unveiled "Lifelong Melbourne Plan" - a 10 year plan catering for older people living in the city. The number of city residents aged over 55 is expected to be around 20,000 in less than a decade and so an action plan was desperately needed.
"Older people are an essential part of our community and we are taking action to ensure older people living in our municipality maintain links with the community to live life to the fullest in the City of Melbourne," Cr Wilson said.
"While there are currently no waiting lists for Council's aged care services, this could change as forecasts show the number of residents aged over 80 years will climb by 40 per cent by 2015.
The Lifelong Melbourne Plan includes the following key features:
* Affordable physical exercise - including walking groups, dancing classes, swimming and strength training;
* Special interest and hobby options - including theatre, film, genealogy, music, singing, gardening and environmental action groups;
* Occupational therapists - to recommend modification to homes and equipment, such as lightweight vacuum cleaners, to facilitate independence;
* Discussion groups and public forums - featuring a range of venues, times and topics, such as innovative book club programs to include multilingual, talking books and electronic programs;
* Internet links and intranet sites - for people living in vertical communities in Docklands, CBD and Southbank;
* Transport facilities - to enable access to social programs and health services;
* Volunteer local community programs - e.g. gardening, pet care, shopping, outings and information technology;
* Flexible overnight or weekend respite care - to give carers of frail older residents a break from their caring obligations;
Immediate priority areas for aged services in the City of Melbourne are Carlton, North Melbourne and Kensington. The CBD, Docklands and Southbank are also expected to be areas of significant need.
Successful programs already being run by the City of Melbourne will be expanded as part of the Lifelong Melbourne Plan. These include the "Italian Planned Activity Group" which offers frail members of the Italian community to enjoy recreational activities, meals and outings with other people from their community. The strength training program, "Living Longer Living Stronger" at City Baths, aims to improve health, fitness, strength and wellbeing.
You can get a copy of the plan from Community Services, City of Melbourne
Telephone: (03) 9658 9658.
The City of Melbourne has unveiled "Lifelong Melbourne Plan" - a 10 year plan catering for older people living in the city. The number of city residents aged over 55 is expected to be around 20,000 in less than a decade and so an action plan was desperately needed.
"Older people are an essential part of our community and we are taking action to ensure older people living in our municipality maintain links with the community to live life to the fullest in the City of Melbourne," Cr Wilson said.
"While there are currently no waiting lists for Council's aged care services, this could change as forecasts show the number of residents aged over 80 years will climb by 40 per cent by 2015.
The Lifelong Melbourne Plan includes the following key features:
* Affordable physical exercise - including walking groups, dancing classes, swimming and strength training;
* Special interest and hobby options - including theatre, film, genealogy, music, singing, gardening and environmental action groups;
* Occupational therapists - to recommend modification to homes and equipment, such as lightweight vacuum cleaners, to facilitate independence;
* Discussion groups and public forums - featuring a range of venues, times and topics, such as innovative book club programs to include multilingual, talking books and electronic programs;
* Internet links and intranet sites - for people living in vertical communities in Docklands, CBD and Southbank;
* Transport facilities - to enable access to social programs and health services;
* Volunteer local community programs - e.g. gardening, pet care, shopping, outings and information technology;
* Flexible overnight or weekend respite care - to give carers of frail older residents a break from their caring obligations;
Immediate priority areas for aged services in the City of Melbourne are Carlton, North Melbourne and Kensington. The CBD, Docklands and Southbank are also expected to be areas of significant need.
Successful programs already being run by the City of Melbourne will be expanded as part of the Lifelong Melbourne Plan. These include the "Italian Planned Activity Group" which offers frail members of the Italian community to enjoy recreational activities, meals and outings with other people from their community. The strength training program, "Living Longer Living Stronger" at City Baths, aims to improve health, fitness, strength and wellbeing.
You can get a copy of the plan from Community Services, City of Melbourne
Telephone: (03) 9658 9658.
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