As part of our Social Strategy, we’re developing a series of supporting plans that outline how we’ll tailor support to meet the diverse challenges and needs of the Maitland community.

Maitland's community includes over 18,000 seniors or older people, making up just over a 21% of our current population. We want to encourage active and healthy ageing, and want to celebrate the many benefits that seniors bring to our community. Our Ageing Well Supporting Plan will respond to the opportunities and challenges of our ageing population, supporting older residents to live healthy, connected lives.

We want your input to shape programs, services and initiatives that aim to:

FAQs

Ageing feels different for everyone and can be defined in different ways. This supporting plan aligns with the NSW Government's definition of 'seniors', which is people starting at age 60, or at age 50 for First Nations peoples.

According to Local Government New South Wales, an age-friendly community is one that:

  • recognizes the great diversity among older people
  • promotes their inclusion and contribution in all areas of community life
  • respects their decisions and lifestyle choices, and
  • anticipates and responds to age-related needs and preferences.

Our ageing population is diverse. Social and demographic factors such as gender, cultural background, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, and geographic location all influence how being an older person and the challenges of ageing are experienced. Moreover, the needs of older people change across the life stages, whether you're a working, an empty-nester, retiree, an active senior, elderly, at home, or living in care.

While the overall focus of this plan is defined by age, we recognize that ageing well in Maitland will require targeted initiatives and programs that respond to the needs of specific groups and life stages.

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