Written by Administrator

Kingborough Positive Ageing Advisory Committee (KPAAC), is a Kingborough Council Committee established under Section 24 of the Local Government Act 1993 .  KPAAC has been established since October 2008.  KPAAC's aim is to implement Council's Positive Ageing Plan.

Council's Positive Ageing Plan through its strategies and actions aims to respond to the identified challenges provided by an ageing population.

Kingborough Positive Ageing Advisory Committee (KPAAC) members are:

C. Donna Sommerville - Chairperson
Cr. Graham Bury - Chair proxy
Ms Margaret Gowland - community representative
Mr Gordon Dobbs - community representative
Dr Sheila Given OAM - community representative
Mr Mike Jackson - CATS (Channel Action through Seniors)
Ms Judy Kile -Woodbridge Community Association
Ms Jacquie Maginnis- Department if Helath and Human Services Health Promotion Service
Ms Rosemary Heinrich - reserve member
Ms Joy Tunney - reserve member

Executive Officer - Ms Michelle Allen - Kingborough Council Community Development Officer


For more information regarding KPAAC and the projects being undertaken please call 6211 8130  

Written by Administrator

Action: Develop the capacity to match volunteer and paid skills with community needs at the local level (eg conduct a skills audit, establish a volunteer service point, link individuals with others with required skills or services)

The Committee identified that the implementation of this one action would directly impact approximately 30 other actions within the Plan.  In early 2010 the Committee will conduct a skills audit of the Kingborough community, thus establishing a list of people willing to volunteer their time in service areas such as: handyman, befriending services, socialisation, tutors, mentors etc.

Written by Administrator

Positive Ageing Plan

Action: Work on options to address the insurance barriers faced by many community groups wishing to run activity programs in their local area.

The Committee identified this action as a high priority, there is no insurance cover currently offered to unincorporated community groups wishing to run activities.  Initial conversations will commence in early 2010 with Volunteering Tasmania, COTA (Council on the Ageing) and National Seniors to identify the issues and barriers.

Written by Administrator

Positive Ageing Plan

Action: Promote information about the range of concessions available to older people in Tasmania.

The Committee identified this action as a high priority fully aware that there are booklets produced advertising some of the concessions available.  The issue for seniors is finding out about what other concessions are available to them and accessing support in applying for these concessions.  Initial conversation will occur early 2010 with Centrelink and partnerships will be created with National Seniors, Seniors Bureau, COTA, Maranoa Neighbour House and Senior Actions Groups in Kingborough.

Written by Administrator

Positive Ageing Plan

Action: Promote the use of the 'agewellkingborough.com' website as the entry point for older residents to seek information on upcoming events, services, activities of community groups, issues and practical matters.

Access to information is high on the agenda for the Positive Ageing Advisory Committee, having access to a website promoting local seniors information is an advantage that this Council has.  Ensuring Council’s Customer Service officers are trained in the use of this website is a high priority. Introducing the age well Kingborough website to local GP’s is also a priority, so while in consultation with patients they can utilise the website as a resource and referral tool.

Written by Administrator

Action: Undertake health education activities in conjunction with community groups and government departments.

In determining this action as a high priority it was essential for the Committee to agree that increasing the number of health education activities would ultimately increase older people’s involvement in the community.  If older people are unaware of their own health needs and the supports available to them, then it is less likely that they will be positively engaged in community life.

The Committee will engage with the following partners: DHHS, Sports and Recreations, Seniors Bureau, Women Tasmania, Variety of NGo's and Kingborough Health Promotion Group.

 Update:
Council is currently investigating community information sessions with the following organisations for awareness weeks such as:
2 - 8 May  Heart Foundation  Heart Week  Recognising the signs of a heart attack
11 - 17 July  Diabetes Tasmania  National Diabetes Week  Raise awareness about Diabetes in Australia

Written by Administrator

Positive Ageing Plan

Action: In recognition of the value of pets in the lives of older residents work with groups like the Dogs Home of Tasmania, RSPCA, Kingborough Dog Walkers Association and the Cat Centre to develop and support facilities and programs which promotoe responsible pet ownership.

The ‘Living Well Together’ handbook developed by Centre for the Built Environment and Health, University of Western Australia states that: pets improve some determinants of poor mental health, such as loneliness, and can motivate owners to become more physically active.

This handbook goes onto state that there is a growing momentum in Australia to help older people live independently and remain in their own homes.  Pets provide a source of companionship, physical contact and antidote to stress and bereavement.  Unfortunately in some instances, their owners may struggle to meet the pet’s needs or access timely veterinary assistance.

Tasmanian Home and Community Care service does not offer a pet care service to their older clients, so in some cases the pet has to be removed or the client is assessed as not coping, which can lead to inappropriate and premature admittance into residential care.

The Committee will correspond with all identified annimal organisations and seek out what they currently offer to older people living at home with their pets and what they currently see as issues.

Written by Administrator

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