Older Persons Reference Group surveys Horsham

Published on 25 May 2018

Senior-citizens.jpg

Horsham Rural City Council’s Older Persons Reference Group is currently hitting the streets to survey how the region’s facilities and services reflect the needs of older people.

The Group is made up of Wimmera people aged 55 and over and these twelve volunteers are undertaking the World Health Organisations checklists for Age Friendly Communities

With clipboards in hand, they will visit public spaces including footpaths and roads, green spaces and club rooms. They will be talking with the community age 55 and over to garner thoughts on the age-friendliness of the physical and social environment.

The Reference Group will then collate its findings and make recommendations to Council through the development of an Aged Friendly Action Plan.

Director Community Services Kevin O’Brien said the project would aim to improve Horsham as an age friendly community – that is a place where older people live safely, enjoy good health and stay involved in social events.

“It will provide strategic guidance for tangible results, incorporating many aspects of life such as health, housing, transport and social activities,” Mr O’Brien said.

“It is essential that Horsham’s Aged Friendly Action Plan represents the community it will serve. Whilst we could have developed a framework, strategy and action plan based on well-researched literature, it was essential that the strategy be representative of the Horsham community and that it is developed by, for and about Horsham’s older adult population.

“The goal is for Horsham to have an older adult population that is informed, connected, and supported to live well and age even better,” Mr O’Brien said. 

Tagged as: