Ageing strategy described

Details of a regional "Quality Ageing Strategy" have been described at a meeting of the Older Women's Network at Woy Woy Leagues Club on Wednesday, September 5.

Ms Sandra O'Malley from the Central Coast Area Health Services' Aged Care Assessment Team discussed the recently devised strategy.

The strategy aimed to identify key issues affecting older people and to develop ways of improving their overall quality of life, said Ms O'Malley.

It was prompted by the large and rapidly-expanding aged population on the Central Coast.

After public forums, a phone-in and many meetings with older people, their carers and service providers, nine priority areas were identified.

Better transport was high on the list for most, and a new position of Transport Development Officer has been funded, with interviews to be held on September 17.

The new officer will help bring together consumers, local transport operators, councils and the Department of Transport in an effort to improve transport services.

Easier access to information was another issue, said Ms O'Malley.

There were many services currently offered that were not widely publicised, she said.

Service co-ordination was another priority and a new voluntary scheme called the 'Yellow Wallet' scheme had been introduced to help local service providers avoid duplication of referrals and inquiries.

A client's information was kept in the front of the wallet, which is stored in a prominent position such as the top of the fridge

Details of any services received, such as Meals on Wheels, are kept at the back of the wallet

The wallet can be taken to the hospital by ambulance personnel or relatives and was a great help when family and doctors were assessing the needs of clients, said Ms O'Malley.

An Older Person Admission Module had also been designed, containing patient information to help with hospital admissions and in co-ordinating community support services,.

The Strategy also sought to link with International Year of Older Person's in promoting a more positive image of older people.

Ms O'Malley said that it was important that older people and youth could find a common ground.

A pilot scheme had been introduced on the Central Coast called "Experienced Hands" which aimed to bring older people and young people together.

The scheme, which has been in place in schools for 12 months, enabled older people to pass on their knowledge and interact with students.

Another initiative of the strategy was to negotiate with the University of Newcastle for research on the health and social issues of older people, to provide a better basis for planning and delivery of services.

A recommendation to develop a program of retirement planning seminars had been put forward to assist people in preparing for retirement.

There had been little attention paid to a wide range of potential problems from poor nutrition to help with relationships which can change drastically with retirement, said Ms O'Malley.

Independent living, safe pedestrian access and the establishment of a "quality ageing steering committee" were other priorities supported by the strategy.

Ms O'Malley said that the area had been driven to provide better services by its rapidly ageing population and it was hoped that new funding would provide more competition and a better lifestyle for ageing residents on the Central Coast.

Heather McKenzie from the Older Women's Network closed the meeting, thanking Sandra O'Malley for her time and information.

Paula Perry September 6