LOCAL COUNCILS UNPREPARED FOR SENIORS
FEWER than 10 per cent of local government authorities in NSW say they have prepared a strategy to deal with the ageing population despite a government report forecasting an explosion in the proportion of elderly people.
While the number of people aged under 64 is expected to jump by about 20 per cent, the over-65 age bracket is set to skyrocket by 111 per cent over the next 25 years.
The survey by the Department of Local Government says only 15 of the state's 152 councils have an ageing strategy in place.
The NSW Council on the Ageing, representing people aged over 50, said it was concerning that only a small fraction had planned for the needs of senior citizens.
The organisation's policy and communications manager, Anne-Marie Elias, said councils should have strategies that covered each age group over 50.
The Planning Minister and former minister for ageing, Kristina Keneally, said the Government would use the new forecasts to plan the locations of transport, housing estates and health services.
Labels: leisure, retirement, well being |
