AGEING PLAN

194 Mrs REDMOND (Heysen) (31 July 2007). What exactly did the Department do to lead the implementation of the 'Improving With Age—Our Ageing Plan for South Australia'?

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management): The Office for the Ageing (OFTA) has led the development and implementation of the Ageing Plan. Between August and December 2005 OFTA undertook a comprehensive consultation process to confirm the issues for an ageing population and develop strategic directions.

The following initiatives and projects are examples of how the Office for the Ageing has led the implementation of the Ageing Plan:

1. Collaboration with government and non-government agencies

Housing SA:

To reduce social isolation and connect older public housing customers who need support to live independently, with their communities.

Department of Health:

A State Dementia Action Plan including further initiatives for South Australians with dementia which will provide a coordinated approach to community care systems.

The review of Advance Directives to simplify and introduce a more consistent and accessible system.

Law Society of South Australia:

Seniors and the Law booklet developed to provide information on consumer and law issues for older people.

Department of Families and Communities (DFC)–Strategy and Research:

Information booklets on consumer and law issues for grandparents as carers to raise awareness of rights and responsibilities.

2. Policy, Program and Service Development

Our Plan in the Prevention of the Abuse of Older People:

A strategy to address and mitigate the effects of abuse of older people through awareness raising and information provision.

Consumer Consultation:

Strategies and mechanisms to consult with the ageing and community care sector to assist OFTA in its policy and planning roles.

Aboriginal Grandparents–Respite and Support:

A program to provide respite for Aboriginal grandparents who care for their grandchildren on a full time basis.

Carer Support Services:

Recommend improvements to HACC funded carer support services.

3. Research

Universities of Adelaide, Flinders and South Australia:

To develop the State of the Ageing Report for South Australia which will inform future policy, planning and services.

Analysis of the Australian (Adelaide) Longitudinal Study of Ageing to provide information for policy makers, services providers and care professionals.

Ageing E-view:

Geographical Information Systems (GIS) spatial mapping tool to map services for older people.

4. Engagement through Promotional Activities

Grant Funding:

Grants for Seniors (GFS) and Positive Ageing Development Grants (PADG) encourage the participation of older people in their community.

Responding to the Challenges in Caring for Older People—an International Perspective—July 2006:

The Ministerial Advisory Board on Ageing (MAB), the University of South Australia and OFTA presented an international panel of speakers to discuss issues and trends in caring for older people.

The Australian Association of Gerontology Conference:

OFTA is a gold sponsor and a planning committee member for the annual conference to be held in Adelaide in November 2007.

5. Facilitation and Advice

Engagement of Geoff Mulgan, Thinker in Residence, bringing together key players to consider housing options for seniors.

Bi-monthly meetings with the MAB, bringing to my attention of issues affecting older South Australians.

The Across Government Working Party is responsible for reporting back on initiatives identified in Improving with Age bi-annually. A booklet celebrating the Ageing Plan achievements over the past year, using the information collected in the across-government reporting, will be produced.