1. Age Friendly Communities Workshop
[Council Logo can be added here]
Insert Council logo on this page

2. Outline of the Day Setting the scene
Older people - Who are we really talking about?
Interacting with the built environment
Where do older people fit in the strategic plan?
Actions from the day
There are five steps to what we are going to do today.
First we will have a look at some of the facts and figures about older people in Australia
Then we will look at who we are talking about when we say older people or seniors
Then we will examine how older people interact with the built environment
After lunch we will look at the goals in the community strategic plan and see where older people fit into it
And finally we will take a practical look at what we can do.

3. Project Background
Council on the Ageing (COTA NSW) funded by Office for Ageing, NSW Department of Family and Community Services
Follow on from Local Government and Ageing Report (O’Brien and Phibbs)
To develop a resource to help local government prepare for an ageing population
This workshop is part of that resource package
The original project was run by COTA NSW with funding from the Office for Ageing, NSW Department of Family and Community Services.
It followed on from the research project carried out by the University of Western Sydney on ageing and local government.
The main aim was to develop a resource that would help councils prepare for an ageing population.
This workshop forms a major part of the that resource package.

4. Introduction
Population ageing is a pressing international policy and budgetary issue
In Australia – 2010 Intergenerational Report gives a national perspective
State level – NSW Ageing Strategy
Little work has been done at a local government level
Population ageing is talked about at a national and state level and is talked about as a pressing issue, especially for ongoing budgets.
Several countries have done studies looking at the impact of ageing population both socially and economically.
In Australia, the Intergenerational Report clearly spells out the issues for Australia as a whole.
At state level, the NSW Government has developed an Ageing Strategy
But not much work has been done at local government level, and this is where the rubber hits the road.

5. Local Government and Ageing
The University of Western Sydney O’Brien and Phibbs study in 2011 was specifically concerned with local government
The study covered 13 rural and 10 metro councils and focused on senior staff
The UWS study was specifically concerned with local government’s response to an ageing population.
They covered 23 LGAs across NSW

6. Overall Findings
Across NSW, only community service staff seemed to be across the issues, although other staff “got on board” after they were walked through the issues
New strategic planning process in NSW is providing opportunities for the issue to be given greater prominence in Council
Overall there was not a sharp awareness of the issue outside of the community services staff. Ageing was seen as an issue only for community service staff.
But other staff did start to get on board after they were walked through the issues.
The new strategic planning process is actually quite helpful in getting the issues talked about and dealt with.

7. Overall Findings A common concern for Councils was
the high level of social isolation
amongst older Australians

8. Policy Implications Better transport is a key issue
Co-ordination between levels of government and NGOs
Sharing of resources and ideas between councils
Collect better data to measure the impact of ageing – not just relying on anecdotal evidence
Issues of social isolation are often linked with transport so it was not surprising that transport went to the top of the list as a major issue for many areas.
And the issue of social isolation is best dealt with at the local level – so local government is well placed to help with this.
Better coordination between the various levels of government and community service providers was called for. Getting the various interests involved at the planning level was difficult.

9. [Council Name] Population Pyramid – 2011-2036 change
Insert Council pyramid on this slide. This is an example
Go to NSW Planning website,
“NSW SLA Planning Projections : LGA Summary Version 1.0. Projections for Local Government” and select your LGA.
Or to LGNSW website and download RAPP 2.0 for the latest population projections

10. Increase in older population for [Council Name]
Note: This chart can be constructed by taking the age data from the ABS website for the council area and putting into an Excel spreadsheet and creating the graph from there. The chart should contain the actual numbers as using percentages of the population alone can be misleading.
Alternatively, use this chart and insert the population figures from the NSW Planning website or the Local Government NSW website.

11. Increase in proportion of population in [Council Name] aged 65 and over
??%
??%
??%
From the figures in the previous slide you can calculate the percentage of the population for the three years.
Stress to participants that these figures are only a guide to planning and the accuracy is dependent on many factors.

12. Ageing is everybody’s business
Want older people to be active and involved
Good for health
Good for economy
Not just a social services issue
Cuts across all aspects of Council work
Sometimes it’s in the detail, not big picture
As mentioned before, the key message here is that ageing is everybody’s business.
Ageing cuts across all departments and portfolios.
Policies of ageing in place require us to think about all places and all activities.
Not all older people are sitting at home watching the TV out of sight and out of mind.
And sometimes it just requires some thought about detail – it need not be a big cost issue.

13. Myths and Stereotypes All older people All older people need
don’t work
are frail
have nothing left to offer
All older people need
special accommodation
special and separate products
need care
When people talk of older people, the stereotype is to think of frail, doddery people who have nothing left to offer and just need to be made comfortable with special places and services. This picture of older people is from the UK and I am glad to say we don’t use it here.
Only a small percentage of the population needs special care and accommodation at any one time.

14. But older people Provide family support Are active consumers
Mostly look after themselves
Volunteer in community organisations
Only 5% of older people are in supported accommodation – this does not characterise all older people
Before we get to the stage of needing lots of care we have many years in which to contribute and enjoy life.
Most older people are active. They support their families with child care and look after the welfare of their ageing parents.
We are also seeing a trend of staying on at work and delaying retirement.
Older people are also consumers of goods and services, some with a reasonable disposable income.
And you will find older people volunteering in community organisations.
The key point here is that only about 5% of older people are in supported accommodation, but this is the stereotype. Consequently, the simple answer until recently has been one of providing more aged care.
What is needed is more encouragement for active living.
Use of a personal anecdote helps to emphasise. Woman in the picture is 80 years old, still gardening, still helping grandchildren with their homework, and being the Treasurer for a local community group.

15. There are lots of Guidelines
Healthy Spaces and Places
ALGA, PIA and Heart Foundation
Checklist of Essential Features of Age-friendly Cities
World Health Organisation
Built Form Guidelines and Open Space Guidelines
Landcom
Age-friendly built environments
Australian Local Government Association
Building Dementia Friendly Neighbourhoods
Alzheimer’s Australia
Development and Active Living
Premier’s Council on Active Living (PCAL)

16. Guidelines and older people
Assuming general liveability factors are a given – specific aspects for older population:
Footpaths
Seating
Lighting
Wayfinding
Toilets
Parking
The features that appeared to be of most importance to older people (assuming the generic factors are in place) are these.
As you can see it is a simple list. However, much is in the detail, and we will have a chance to discuss these today.

17. (room here to insert a graphic or logo if desired)
What are the issues for
[Council Name]?
(room here to insert a graphic or logo if desired)

18. Introduction to Activity 1
This is a slide to ‘signpost’ the explanation of the first activity.

19. Archetypal Older Person
Create a person and their story using information about people you know.
Some things to think about:
Where are they living, and who with?
Do they have family connections?
What activities are they involved in?
What are their aspirations?
What would they like to do but can’t?
Leave this slide on view while the activity is taking place and refer to the session plan and handout for further instructions.

20. Review the Archetypes View the other archetypes
What thoughts and ideas are most important or relevant?
Are there any thoughts and ideas new to you?
Give these a star
Refer to the session plan for instructions. Leave this slide on view while the activity is being undertaken.
Instruct participants to collect their morning tea and bring it back to the table once they have viewed all the archetypes.

21. Introduction to Activity 2
Refer to session notes. This picture is intended to start discussion and analysis and is intended as an example of what participants should do with the pictures they have.
Points to make:
No footpath leading to the bus stop.
Major road so no opportunity to use the roadway.
Safety issues with raised concrete platform.
Note the wear and tear around the bus stop sign – the bus door must open here instead of the concrete apron.
Key point: Although it has a seat (good) it doesn’t have good access. The seat having no armrests may be of no consequence here because a person needing armrests be unlikely to try and access the bus stop anyway.

22. Example for Activity 2
This bus stop is a contrast to the previous one.
It does have footpath access and it has a seat and shelter. But it does not have a concrete apron across the nature strip to help with getting on and off. Grass looks mounded and needs cutting as well. Some people may also make reference to the size of the bus timetable. Comments from participants might include the closeness to the roundabout.

23. Every Picture Tells a Story
Look at the picture and view it through the eyes of an older person
Make notes in the space beneath the picture
When ready, discuss the pictures together
Identify the common themes in the pictures
Refer to the session plan and refer participants to the instructions for Activity 2. Leave this slide on view during the activity.

24. What did other people find?
Refer to the session plan for instructions for this activity. Keep this slide on view during the activity.
Note: if possible replace this montage of pictures with local pictures to make it more relevant.

25. Summary of Activities
Population is ageing – more older people than younger people in 50 years
Older people are not all the same
Still contribute – child care, paid work, volunteer hours, study and learning
Mostly want to age in their own home
Reluctant to move house
Note: this slide and the next two are designed for a brief review of the morning’s work – no need to elaborate.
This slide covers the archetypes.

26. What we’ve realised … Built environment not very age friendly
Disability access standards not sufficient
Attitudes play out in everything from policy development to putting down concrete
We have to think more inclusively about everything
It’s not all about aged care – it’s aged LIVING
Points to make as a result of the picture exercise:
While public access standards are helpful, sometimes the detail needs more care and thought.
It’s not just the built environment that needs to be age-friendly, but policies need to be more inclusive too.
Not all older people end up in care – the focus should be on living – living in the community

27. What does it mean for local government?
Approach to all things needs to be age-friendly
Have to think now about years time
Has to be inherent in Community Strategic Plan
This slide leads into the lunch break and signposts the afternoon session which focuses on the CSP.

28. Age Friendly Communities Workshop
Council Logo can be added here
Use this slide to close the morning session and keep on view during lunch. It is a copy of the title slide. Add the council logo.

29. Joining the Dots Policy focus on: The public built environment
Special accommodation
Separate housing
But where will most people grow old?
At home in their local community
This is where most say they want to age
BUT…
Although this workshop focuses on the public domain, we should spare a thought for where older people will live – join the dots between the public environment and their homes.
Most people will age in their own home – this is what most people say they want.
BUT…

30. Joining the Dots Focus is on aged care not aged living
Shortage of everyday housing to suit older people
Homes as well as public domain needs to support people – join the dots
Going to residential care before they need to
IS THIS SUSTAINABLE?
There is still a perception that all older people will need some form of residential care and that this is the priority.
Current and past practices in home design do not consider older people.
Consequently people have to move to specialised accommodation even when they don’t want to.
We need to join the dots between public and home environments and make them both age friendly – that is friendly to everyone.

31. Introduction to Activity 4
[Council Name]
Community Strategic Plan
[Can insert graphic or logo]
Introduction to Activity 4. See session notes and participant instructions

32. [Put vision in centre of slide]
[Council] Vision
[Put vision in centre of slide]
Find the vision statement in the Community Strategic Plan. If it is not clear what the vision statement is, this slide can be deleted. An example might be – “A healthy and productive community, learning and living in harmony, proud of our heritage and nurturing our environment”.

33. CSP Goals [List goals here]
List council goals or key themes from the community strategic plan. Explain that a different goal will be assigned to each workgroup. Refer to the facilitator instructions.

34. Example 1
People Goals:
What are the particular issues for older people in accessing cultural, recreational and sporting events?
Are older people encouraged to participate in arts and sporting events?
What can Council do within current constraints?
This is an example of a goal that has a simple heading. Some goals are statements. Replace with a goal from the Council CSP. These are examples of questions that can be used to “interrogate” the goal to see how the goal can be inclusive of older people and what can be done to express this.

35. Example 2 Economic Goals:
What role can older people play in economic development and tourism?
What can Council do to make the area more appealing to older tourists?
What can Council do to support older residents to spend their money locally?
A second example is usually needed to help explain what needs to be done in the exercise. Replace with another goal from the CSP and explain how the goal can be interrogated from the perspective of older people. These are example questions.

36. What can Council do? Read the goals assigned to your group
Decide by consensus 2 or 3 goals to work on
How does the goal translate into a liveable community for older people?
Write down specific actions Council could implement that relate to an older population
Write down specific actions other agencies might need to implement
Write down what you think Council could do, but is unable

37. What did other people find?
Community
Places
Environment
Use the short titles or themes from the goals for this slide. Examples are provided for guidance. Show this slide while Activity 5 is being carried out.
Economy
Leadership

38. Activity 6: What can I do?
This is an introductory slide to link to the final activity.

39. IDENTIFY ONE THING YOU CAN DO
What can I do?
Reflect on the work so far. You’ve been
Looking through the eyes of older people
Seeing what Council can do
Sharing ideas with others …
IDENTIFY ONE THING YOU CAN DO
IN YOUR JOB TOMORROW
Refer to session notes and participant instructions.
Emphasise this is about identify one thing they can DO.

40. Thank You!