This was a significant step for our organisation as it demonstrated our commitment to helping Greater Geelong become an even better place to live for people as they age; a place where they feel included supported and valued.

Globally the UN Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021-30 provides a renewed focus on improving the lives of older people their families and the communities in which they live. It is therefore an opportune time to express our commitment to the health and wellbeing of our older community. This is especially the case in light of recently released findings from the Aged Care Royal Commission and the disproportionate impacts experienced by the older community during the COVID-19 pandemic.

People aged 55 years and over make up approximately 30 percent of our region’s population. Over the next 20 years it is projected the total number of people in this age group will grow from approximately 72 000 to 120 000. It is important that we are well placed to plan for and respond to this growth - particularly in areas like the Bellarine where a large proportion of people over the age of 55 live.

Older people are an important and vital part of our community. Being "older" simply means one thing: having lived longer. It does not define who someone is nor what they are capable of. We want to do more to respect and celebrate the diversity of older people who live work in and visit Greater Geelong while respecting and supporting their individual experiences preferences and backgrounds.

We uphold human rights principles in developing and implementing council policies action plans and the delivery of services. This strategy helps to ensure the human rights of older people are acknowledged and respected.

Social equity principles

This strategy will be implemented in accordance with our adopted social equity principles:

1. All activities of the City will be informed by up-to-date demographic and geographic information on social equity in the region which identifies priority areas and groups for attention.
2. Planning of all activities will be informed by effective focussed partnerships and engagement with priority groups and areas aimed at fully understanding the needs and obstacles they experience in accessing services and facilities.
3. Service and infrastructure design location communication and support arrangements will address the needs and obstacles faced by priority areas and groups

Understanding ageing

Ageing is relevant to everyone. Not only are we all ageing increasing numbers of people who live work or visit Greater Geelong are older people. As such many of us know care for and interact with older people regularly.

When thinking about what it means to be an age-friendly city we need to consider the following:

• Ageing impacts everyone differently and this can either hinder or support active and healthy ageing access security inclusiveness and participation.
• Biological processes increase the likely need for specialised services and support for people as they age while their functional capabilities needs and preferences will vary. The amount and type of support and the age it is needed (if at all) varies significantly between individuals.
• Key transitional events that frequently occur later in life can have an impact on health and wellbeing such as retirement loss of a driver’s licence becoming an informal carer loss of a partner or spouse or dealing with end of life.
• Older people are an incredible resource in the community. They possess great knowledge skills and experience so it is important for society to value and support older people to express these qualities.

Age-friendly is friendly for all ages: designing and implementing activities and initiatives to promote access and participation by people as they age will be beneficial for everyone.