N O R T H S Y D N E Y C O U N C I L
Community Services Reference Group
Report CS03 - 29 July 2013
Attachments: 1. Draft Strategy document
SUBJECT: North Sydney Council’s Older Persons Strategy 2013 AUTHOR: Chris Taylor, Community Worker (Aged and Disability) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: This report presents the North Sydney Council Older Persons Strategy for adoption and comment. The Strategy was developed with the assistance of a focus group made up of local community service organizations and precinct members. It also reflects where relevant the strategies contained in the NSW Ageing Strategy. RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT this Strategy be adopted by Council and placed on public exhibition Signed: Endorsed by:
Manager Community Development
Report of Chris Taylor, Community Worker (Aged and Disability) Re: North Sydney Council’s Older Persons Strategy 2013
(2)
LINK TO DELIVERY PROGRAM The relationship with the Delivery Program is as follows: Direction: 4 Our Social Vitality Goal: 4.3 Encourage Health and Wellbeing
BACKGROUND The North Sydney Council Older Persons Strategy 2013 was designed to guide an all of Council response to the changing of needs of older people in the local community. It was produced to complement the NSW Ageing Strategy published by the NSW Government in 2012 The North Sydney Strategy for older people was produced with the assistance of Focus Group made up of Precinct members and local community groups. Input from all areas of Council has been received. SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT The following table provides a summary of the key sustainability implications: QBL Pillar Implications Environment Intended to promote the use of public and community transport Social Aims to reduce social isolation, identify employment
opportunities and improved health and well being for older people The strategy will also address the needs of unfunded community
groups that provide services for older people. Economic Costs met from adopted budget including significant State
Government grants (approximately $50,000) towards salaries Governance Cross-Council projects are central to achieving the Strategy’s
goals
NORTH SYDNEY COUNCIL
Older Persons Strategy
2013
INDEX
Foreword 1
Background 2
Methodology 2
Terms and definitions 3
Older people in North Sydney 3
Strategies 5
Access and Mobility 6
Community Safety 7
Employment and Volunteers 8
Information and Inclusion 9
Health and wellbeing 10
Housing 11
Transport 12
Celebrating cultural diversity with older people 13
Appendix 14
1
FOREWORD
The North Sydney Older Persons Plan was
developed to provide a series of strategies that will
assist and support older people continue to live
successful and active lives in their local community.
It reflects the goals in the NSW Government
Ageing Strategy and the North Sydney Council
2020 vision. It is important to acknowledge the
work of the Focus group made up of community
members and organisations representatives that
provided valuable input the strategies contained
in this plan. This group will be reconvened on an
annual basis to the progress of the plan over the
next four years.
2
BackgroundThe North Sydney Council Strategic Plan
for Older People 2013 -2017 recognises is
all Council activities across impact on the
quality of life for older people. It will align
with the strategies in the wider Council
planning processes including the Delivery
Plan and the 2020 Vision. The overall
success of this plan will be judged by the
numbers of older people who are able
to maintain quality life styles and living
conditions in the community.
While the plan does focus on Council
activities it does recognise that both
local Community organisations State and
Federal Government agencies have a major
role to play. In the next five years there
will be significant changes to the way in
which Aged Care services are funded. In
2012/13 the Australian government is due
to take over the funding of aged services
from State Governments. While most
services will remain in some form there
is some push toward s providing more
self directed/direct payments to the older
population.
MethodologyMany of the issues and needs described
in this paper have been well documented
in previous Council reports and research
(See appendix). The issues and needs of
older people are reported on annually to
the North Sydney Community Services
Committee. Council is also committed to
ongoing consultation with its residents,
workers, service providers and State
Government Agencies such as NSW Health
and NSW Transport.
The Local Government Shires Association
(LGSA) checklist was utilised in the review
of existing Council strategies that impact
on services and facilities for older people.
It identifies areas where more resources
may be required to maintain and support
older people in North Sydney.
A discussion paper highlighting the major
issues was developed in late 2012. This
information was used to inform an older
person’s focus group held at Stanton
Library (March 2013).and May 2013 The
focus group identified several issues
including improving Council information
by presenting in alternative formats
including non IT solutions and translated
material in community languages , Safe
mobility around North Sydney by creating
The focus group working on the Older Persons Strategy
3
pedestrian safe routes ,promoting
public and Community transport use
More accessible infrastructure Work
with the NSW government to develop
more accessible and affordable housing
options. Memebership of the focus group
is cocntained in the appenidix.
Terms and definitions For the purposes of this paper older people
are defined as being over 55 with some
focus on numbers of older people aged
over 80.
About Older people in North Sydney According to the 2006 census figures
In North Sydney LGA the number of
people aged 55 and over numbered
13,667 accounting for 23.4%of the total
population In 2011 the number of people
aged over 55 years was 14,694 accounting
for 23.6% of the total population. While
there has been some increase in numbers
of older people the percentage of total
population has remained approximately
the same.
The number of older people aged 80+
decreased slightly from the 2006 census.
In 2006 there were 2,284 accounting for
(3.6%) of the population. In 2011 there
were 2,042 accounting for 3.2% of the
population.
The number of single person households in
North Sydney has always been higher than
the NSW State average the percentage of
single person house hold in 2006 was just
under 33% compared to a state average
of 23 %. In 2011 the percentage of single
person house holds was 37% and the NSW
State average was 24%. For a population
growing older this has some serious
implications for the numbers of people
who might be at risk of social isolation.
North Sydney Council, Community
organisations, State and Federal
governments run and fund community
services that support older people in the
area. These are summarised below
4
Table: 1 North Sydney Council services specifically for older people
Table: 2 Community and Health services for older people in the North Sydney Local Government Area.
Service Service provided Funded
Community Worker (Aged and Disability)
Service access and advocacy Program Development Community Management.Housing Assistance
Council/ state Government.
Home Library Service Visit to frail aged unable to access library.
Council
Community Development Arts and Wellbeing programs for Older people. Seniors Week Programs
Council State Government
Council Subsidies and grants to council business units and community organisations to provide services to people on the aged pension
Council
Council Christmas bonus Council
Environment and Open Space Support for Community Gardens
Council
Organisation Service provided Funded by Service Area
Crows Nest Community Centre
Linen serviceMeals on wheels Volunteers Social Activities
Federal governmentState Government Council
North Sydney
Kirribilli neighbourhood Centre
Social ActivitiesCommunity libraryVolunteering
Some Council funded North Sydney
North Sydney Community Centre
Educational courses Some Council funding North Sydney
LNC Community Transport
Transport Federal Council Lower North Shore
Link Community Housing
Housing support Federal State Council
Northern Sydney
Northern Sydney Health Lower North Shore ACAT
Assessment Allied health Case Management Social Workers Clinical Psychologists Nurses OT’s Dieticians
Federal State
Lower North Shore
Northern Sydney Health
Cares Support CALD Access
State Lower North Shore
5
StRatEgIES
6
Access and MobilityWith an increasing older population
Council needs to modify and manage
existing infrastructure to ensure it can
used safely by older people who may
be less mobile. Many issues concerning
infrastructure have all ready been
identified via the Access and Community
Safety Reference group and Active
Transport Reference group. In North
Sydney improvement work on Bus
Stops, Street Lighting and Kerb Ramp
modification are part of on going
programs. The management of shared
footpaths between pedestrians, cyclists
and electric scooters remains a contentious
issue. Council has a legal duty to ensure
that all of its events services and facilities
are accessible.
Objective area of interest Strategies KPIIdentify and establish accessible and safe pathways between major facilities and venues.
All council facilities are made accessible
Our Built Environment Provide clear signage on major pathways
Provide benches on major pathways at agreed intervals
Provide hand rails on steps
On going audits of infrastructure and facilities
Update accessible information.
Access Training is provided on a regular basis to Council and Community centre staff
A minimum of two pathways are made safer and accessible per annum.
Audit two pathways per annum
Two audits per annum of infrastructure and facilities are carried out.
Managing for Access accessible events management booklet is promoted and updated.
Training provided on annual basis
7
Community SafetyWhile most residents of North Sydney
report that they feel safe within their
community there are some ongoing
concerns that need to be resolved.
Ongoing maintenance of footpaths and
adequate street lighting are often brought
up during consultations and reference
group discussions. The frequent need
to sweep leaves and cut small branches
from North Sydney footpaths will remain
essential to prevent trips and falls in the
older population
Objective area of interest Strategies KPIImplement Road Safety education programs aimed at older people
Social Vitality Our Living Environment
Improve management of shared footpaths
Regular audits of footpaths for obstacles
Innovative programs concerning road safety are provided by Council for older people.
Research use of traffic islands to assit with road crossing at busy crossings
Investigate techonology swipe cards which can change light changing times at busy intersections
On road accidents statistics
Annual audits of lighting are carried out .
Investigate use of solar power to maintain street lighting
Seniors Road Safety calendar provided free on an annual basis.
Trips and falls reduced
Report to Access and Safety Refrence on an annual basis
Complaints re lighting are reduced
8
Employment and VolunteersWith a larger population in retirement
and semi retirement there is both an
opportunity and a challenge to provide
positions for older volunteers. Council will
need to review all areas of services and
programs to identify new opportunities for
older people to undertake paid work and
volunteer in their local community.
There is a role for council to assist and
support with the provision of some paid
part time employment for older people.
Council could assist with developing a
social enterprise or cooperative for older
people to be involved with. This could
be used to provide additional transport,
healthy and well being activities or very
basic household maintenance services.
Objective area of interest Strategies KPISupport and resource employment and volunteering opportunities for older people.
Social Vitality
Economic Vitality
Develop a register of
volunteering opportunities
Ensure older people are aware of volunteering opportunities via the internet and notice boards.
Research and identify opportunities for a social enterprise activity in the North Sydney/Lower North Shore.
All community centres and bush programs have ongoing opportunities for volunteers.
Volunteers are employed and supported with training as required.
Council is involved in developing two social enterprise activities for older people
9
Inclusion and information provisionOver 50% of people aged 85 live on
there own in North Sydney (ABS 2011)
and services will need to be flexible and
responsive to reduce the risk of older
people becoming isolated.
An increased number of older people living
in North Sydney will put greater pressure
on customer and community services.
Service requests in the last 10 years
indicate that Customer services will also
need to become more flexible with how it
provides and receieves customer requests
Objective area of
interest
Strategies KPI
Council works with service providers to identify the causes of social isolation and lessen its effects.
Social Vitality Council delivers Home Library services
Councils provides accommodation and management support for the Men’s Shed
Council provides management support and accommodation for the Neutral Bay Seniors
Council provides and supports alternative options for older people unable to access technology or use website payment systems
Council works with Community transport to provide a flexible and responsive service.
Council promotes the Social Inclusion training package to organistaions
Council monitors all reported cases of Social Isolation
Volunteer and social enterprise community services that reduce isolation for older people are maintained with support and resources by Council
Council promotes community services and activities in various formats Update and promote translated information
Social Vitality Informationon activities and events for older people are always provided in alternative formats/community languages as required
Numbers of people from CALD communities attending events increases.
10
Health and wellbeingIncrease numbers of well aged older
people will require more recreational
activities. At present there is adequate
network of bushwalks and cycle pathways.
Council will need to maintain and expand
these to enable people to remain active
and move about the community. There
will be also further demands for open
space and exercise areas with appropriate
equipment. The demand for access
to the North Sydney Men’s shed and
Community Gardening is also increasing.
The Wollstonecraft Men’s Shed is operating
at full capacity on the three days it is open.
There are also currently four Community
gardens operating in North Sydney
Objective area of
interest
Strategies KPI
Develop and resource programs to promote a healthily life style for older people
Social Vitality Our living environment
Provide and promote active ageing programs for older people to prevent health issues arising
Community gardening is available for older people living in the North Sydney area.
Support for Wellbeing Arts programs are maintained..
All community centres provide physical activities for older people.
Numbers of people taking up programs is increased
4 Community Gardens remain operational. New sites are identified for community gardening.
2 Wellbeing Arts program is provided by Council per annum
11
HousingBetween five and ten older people are
classified as being long term homeless
and are living in open space within the
community. There are also significant
numbers of older people living in boarding
houses and low cost accommodation.
with limited security. Additionally in
North Sydney LGA 7-8 older people each
year are identified as living in poor living
conditions.
Objective area of
interest
Strategies KPI
Provide a range of affordable housing and accommodation options for older people
Ensure some new build housing in the North Sydney LGA is adaptable to meet the needs of older people
Social Vitality Our Built environment
Provide timely housing assistance for older people who are in housing need and homeless.
Lost cost housing is included in large scale residential developments.
Set a register and promorte home share opportunites for older people
Local people continue to be given priority for Council owned Community housing in the North Sydney area.
In any development over 10 dwellings 10% of the dwellings should be adaptable to changing life circumstances
Information and advice provided to twenty older people per annum.
DCP on affordable housing is reviewed in 2013/2014
Increase in the numbers of people living in affordable accommodation in the North Sydney area.
Requests for adaptable accommodation are monitored and reported on annually
Promote and market Home Modification Service
Social Vitality Provide information to community centres and community services located in North Sydney
Provide information in Community Languages
Take up of Home Modification service increases
12
TransportWhile North Sydney being well serviced
by Public Transport,in some instances
older people have difficulty accessing and
using it. Lower North Shore Community
Transport is funded by HACC and North
Sydney Council to assist people with
limited mobility and also communty
groups with social activities. There are
areas of North Sydney where take up of
Community Transport is lower than the
rest. The level of information and the
typoe of services avilable in these areas are
the subject of ongoing review.
Objective area of
interest
Strategies KPI
Promote use of community/. Public transport to older people.
Social Vitality Develop and implement education programmes to promote opportunities and advantages of reduced private motor vehicle usage
Market and promote community and public transport
Review Council Cab to assess demand
Public transport Travel training held on an annual basis. Attended by older people from North Sydney Area.
Increased use of Community and Public transport.
Usage of Council cab reviewed on a annual basis
13
Celebrating cultural diversity with older peopleNorth Sydney is becoming more diverse
and had people from many different
cultures. The 2011 ABS census results
indicates that, North Sydney has become
increasingly diverse since 2001 with a
drop in the percentage of people born in
Australia from 68.2% to 54.7%. 16.2% of
the population were born in a non-English
speaking country, up from 11.4% in 2001.
The emerging birthplace groups in North
Sydney since 2001 were China (up 671),
India (up 449) and Japan (up 1,040). People
speaking a language other than English
at home increased from 15.8% in 2001 to
21.4% in 2011. The major increases were
in Chinese, Indian, Korean and Spansih
languages.
Objective area of
interest
Strategies KPI
Council events and activites take into account the needs of people from diverese cultural backgrounds
Social Vitality Organisations that provide services and activities to older people are resourced and encouraged to provide culturally diverse activities.
Two activities per year are reflective of cultural diversity
Information on activities for older people are always provided in /community languages as required
Numbers of people from CALD communities attending events increases.
14
Appendix 1age structure – Five year age groups
North Sydney Council area
2011 2006 Change
Five year age groups (years)
Number % greater Sydney
Number % greater Sydney
2006 to 2011
0 to 4 3,354 5.4 6.8 2,645 4.5 6.6 +709
5 to 9 2,021 3.2 6.3 1,544 2.7 6.5 +477
10 to 14 1,559 2.5 6.1 1,397 2.4 6.5 +162
15 to 19 1,697 2.7 6.3 1,795 3.1 6.6 -98
20 to 24 3,644 5.9 7.0 4,376 7.5 7.2 -732
25 to 29 8,135 13.1 7.8 7,895 13.6 7.4 +240
30 to 34 8,434 13.5 7.7 8,193 14.1 7.9 +241
35 to 39 6,607 10.6 7.6 5,746 9.9 7.7 +861
40 to 44 4,753 7.6 7.3 4,022 6.9 7.6 +731
45 to 49 3,777 6.1 7.0 3,538 6.1 7.2 +239
50 to 54 3,620 5.8 6.5 3,440 5.9 6.3 +180
55 to 59 3,374 5.4 5.7 3,714 6.4 5.8 -340
60 to 64 3,505 5.6 5.1 3,005 5.2 4.4 +500
65 to 69 2,699 4.3 3.8 2,072 3.6 3.4 +627
70 to 74 1,815 2.9 2.9 1,432 2.5 2.8 +383
75 to 79 1,267 2.0 2.3 1,281 2.2 2.5 -14
80 to 84 958 1.5 1.9 1,092 1.9 2.0 -134
85 and over 1,070 1.7 1.8 1,072 1.8 1.6 -2
total 62,289 100.0 100.0 58,259 100.0 100.0 +4,030
15
Appendix 2Community Services requests to Community Worker (aged and Disability) May 2011- May 2012
Summary of findings
In between May 2011 and 2012 206
Community services requests were
received 2 more than last year. In 134 cases
it was possible to identify the population
group or known circumstances of the
person. The largest population group
recorded were the Frail Aged. A small
reduction from numbers recorded last
year (70) to 62 Numbers of People with
Disabilities recorded also declined from (79)
to 57. In contrast numbers of people with
Mental Illness increased from (10) to 15.
Chart 1: Known circumstances of people requesting services between
May 2011 and May 2012
Frail Aged People with Mental Disabilities Health
Frail Aged
People with Disabilities
Mental Health
16
Housing assistance requests made over
a third of all requests received 70.This
represents a significant increase on
last year (42). There were 19 reported
situations involving Poor Living conditions
a significant increase on last year when
(9) cases were recorded There were 17
requests concerning access to services and
faculties 7 less than year (24).
Chart 2: Most frequent community service requests between
May 2011 and May 2012
Housing Access to services Poor and facilities living
num
ber
of s
ervi
ce re
ques
ts
Housing
Access
Poor living
17
Membership of the focus group
Name Organisation
Ted Day Mens shed
Helen L’Orange Waverton Hub
Bryce Gunn Greenway Tenants
Terry Kemp Greenway Tenants
Geoff Barrett Community Transport
John Medows Precinct Member
Trish Medows Precinct Member
Fay Sinclair Community Housing Tenants Rep
Denise Ward Executive Officer Crows Nest Community Centre
Camelia Tobia Aged Services manager Crows Nest Centre
Pauline Constance Neutral Bay Seniors
Mel Young Community Transport
Shirley Bevan Access and Community Safety Reference Group
Jill Kearney Precinct Member
Abby Bloom Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing