The City of Perth has completed an study of the needs of the its ageing population, in preparation for a 15-20% increase in the number of people aged over 60 in the next two decades.

 

The study investigated how age-friendly the city is now and highlighted priorities for an age-friendly future.  It was based on extensive consultation with older people and community service providers by way of focus groups and a questionnaire which attracted 368 respondents.

 

Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi said the key outcomes of the study were: 
• The City of Perth received a good rating on how people use, live, work and enjoy the city.
• Top priorities for the future are: transport, social participation and housing.
• There is a diversity of older people. One size does not fit all in terms of how we live, how we recreate and how we exist as a community.
• There is a need to focus on supporting people to continue to live in the city, either in their own homes or appropriate accommodation, and supporting them to maintain good health and social interaction.
• Access to information is essential, to support participation in public life and enable access to services and facilities.
In total, 15 key messages were highlighted as part of the consultation.

 

“The City of Perth is keen to encourage a city that is accessible and inclusive of all people, including the diversity of older people living, working or visiting the central city,” the Lord Mayor said.

 

“To understand the issues around making a city age-friendly, it is essential to hear from older city residents, workers and visitors.  Following a program devised by the World Health Organisation, the City of Perth asked older people, their carers, and service providers about their experiences of the age-friendliness of the central city and about priorities for an age-friendly future.”

 

The City will now prepare an action plan aimed at ensuring the city remains engaging and accessible for this valued group in our community.

 

The Age-Friendly Consultation Report can be viewed at http://www.perth.wa.gov.au/afc


The City received an $8,000 matched funding grant from the State Government to undertake the study.