Age-friendly report card

2016–17

2016–17

Minister’smessage

The year ahead

In June 2016 the Queensland Governmentcommitted to creating a Queensland for all

ages that is inclusive and age-friendly.

I am pleased to report that the Queensland: anage-friendly community action plan has drivensignificant improvements for seniors across a rangeof issues in relation to transport, housing, outdoorspaces, social participation, inclusion, employment,communication and information and communitysupport and health services.

We are working hard to ease cost of living pressuresfor Queenslanders. We are making a difference tothe quality of life and wellbeing of older peopleand are well on our way to becoming a Queenslandwhere the contributions and experience of ourstate’s seniors are valued.

This report card highlights what we have achievedin only 12 months. We continue to focus on makingQueensland an age-friendly place through real andlong-term change.

Our focus for the coming year will be on:

.

Coralee O’Rourke

Minister for Communities

Minister for Disability Services and Seniors

The year ahead

Our focus for the coming year will be on:

  • driving innovations to create age-friendlycommunities through an annual $1 milliongrants program
  • tackling elder abuse through additionalfunding of $4.55 million over 4 years
  • making it easy for people to connect toinformation about services and accessconcessions through a convenient ‘one stopshop’ website
  • assisting older people to maintainindependence and make decisions abouttheir housing options through investmentof $500,000 over 2 years for an informationhelp line, awareness campaign andannual summit
  • protecting seniors through legislativereforms for living in retirement villages andresidential parkshelping seniors meet cost of living expensesby investing $290 million in concessions
  • helping seniors meet cost of living expensesby investing $290 million in concessions.

Queensland is part of a global movement tocreate age-friendly communities.

Now, more than ever, it is important that wemaintain the momentum and work together tomake Queensland a great place for everyone.one.

2016–17 highlights

Outdoor spaces and buildings

  • $3 million age-friendly innovation grantsprogram launched
  • 4 innovative age-friendly projects awarded grantsto improve outdoor spaces and buildings — forexample, a seniors fitness trail on Magnetic Island,and specially designed seating to support seniors inHinchinbrook Shire

Transport

  • 200,000 Seniors Cards +go issued
  • The 1, 2 and free ticketing policy saved seniors over$970,000 on more than 500,000 trips
  • 3 innovative age-friendly projects awarded grantsto improve transport for seniors — for example,individualised transport support services on the GoldCoast, and a driver awareness program for seniors onthe Fraser Coast

Housing

  • Seniors in Cloncurry, Barcaldine,Ravenshoe and Ayr will benefit from theAgeing in Place pilot project’s adaptable housing
  • 42,676 seniors supported to remain in theirown homes or private rental tenancies byproviding support for critical home maintenanceand safety
  • 5 innovative age-friendly projects awarded grants toimprove housing for seniors — for example, a newapproach to rental home share for older women onthe Sunshine Coast, and a project to explore anddesign suitable housing options for seniors in Roma and Mitchell

Social participation

  • More than 40,000 seniors accessedgovernment funded seniors services
  • More than 870,000 cardholders accessed governmentconcessions and business discount schemes
  • 1022 grandparents and 1309 grandchildrenparticipated in the Time for Grandparents program

Respect and social inclusion

  • More than $3.3 million for programs forseniors to prevent and overcome social isolation
  • More than 4000 Queenslanders attendedanti-discrimination training, including trainingabout age discrimination
  • 2 Good Money stores established (Cairns and GoldCoast) to help vulnerable Queenslanders, in financialstress and hardship. After 2 months of operation,810 enquiries received, including from seniors, and96 no-interest loans issued totalling $87,542

Civic participation and employment

  • Under the government’s Back to WorkProgram 676 mature-aged Queenslanders supportedinto employment
  • Queenslanders, including more than 2700 mature-agedpeople, have been assisted through SkillingQueenslanders for Work with 1028 securing ongoingemployment and 249 gaining a further training outcome
  • The Annual VET Investment Plan programs, which aredemand driven, assisted Queenslanders, including 30,479mature-aged people, to access training to secure a job oradvance their career ($61.4 million)

Communication and information

  • $400,000 over 4 years to improve seniors’access to information and protections againstfraud, abuse and scams
  • 9538 seniors participated in 2058 free Tech SavvySeniors training sessions
  • 14,132 clients requested information, referral andsupport from the Seniors Enquiry Line
  • Since December, 880 seniors submitted a joined-upapplication for a Seniors Card and vehicle registrationthrough the new One Stop Shop for seniors

Community support andhealth services

  • Responded to 1706 seniors experiencing abuse
  • $2.6 million for free legal support services for seniors
  • 7 non-government organisations funded to provideextended hours respite to seniors who are carers($20 million over 4 years)

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