JAMES JUST
Seniors Week is well underway with more than 500 events being held throughout Queensland to recognise the contributions of elderly Australians.
The week aims to create intergenerational bonds through community participation and will run until August 23.
Council of the Ageing (COTA) Chief Executive, Mark Tucker-Evans said the event will celebrate the achievements of the elderly and address issues such as social isolation.
“Research has shown that older people are particularly vulnerable to social isolation and loneliness due to the loss of friends, family, mobility or income,” he said.
“COTA Queensland is currently working in partnership with QUT to investigate the benefits of different levels of intervention to improve older people’s quality of life.”
Older People Speak Out president, Val French confirmed the importance of social inclusion and said more care needed to be provided for senior Australians at risk.
“There are a lot of older people who are living alone at home and that’s a really big problem because they’re sitting ducks for a lot of things,” she said.
“Unless other people care, it’s easier for governments to walk past us [seniors], as older people simply don’t have the background or knowledge as well as experience to stick up for themselves.
“The main issue is that old people aren’t getting adequate care and that’s something we need to address in order to overcome other issues like senior isolation.”
COTA and the Queensland Government will collaboratively plan, run and subsidise the events and activities during Seniors Week.
For more information please visit http://cotaqld.org.au.