Seniors speak on UN day of older people

Above: Speaking up on UN International Day of Older Persons – the short film produced by IRT and launched today.

“More consultation with older people should occur before retirement villages are built, because often people who design them aren’t of that age and so can’t think like a senior person.” 

“Don’t just think that because people are old they can’t help you too.” 

“Governments could do a lot more to stimulate older people and keep them going, after all we are the beginning of the country.” 

These are some of the comments from residents of IRT that are captured on a new film produced to mark the United Nations International Day of Older Persons, which was celebrated today. 

The film was shown at a special breakfast at IRT Links Seaside in Wollongong this morning. Among those in attendance was Kathryn Greiner AO, Chair of the NSW Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (MACA).

Drawing on the theme of the UN day, which was: ‘The future we want: what older people are saying’, the film featured numerous IRT residents taking about their vision for the future. 

“I want to do things, to travel… Having that independence to do the things you want to do. To do that you’ve got to be healthy, that’s the main thing I’d like to see,” said one resident.

“We probably see ourselves doing courses, taking up new hobbies, learning new skills,” said another. 

One recent retiree said she had been trying to avoid the idea she was now retired. “I’ve got a blog called ‘The Reluctant Retiree’. I’m trying to reinvent myself as writer. I did go to university; I graduated last year with a Masters in Commerce. I haven’t embraced the idea I’m retired,” she said.

Above: The film was launched and shown at the IRT breakfast event this morning.

IRT Chief Executive Nieves Murray said the UN International Day of Older Persons allowed IRT to take stock and recognise the incredible wealth of knowledge and insight held by residents and employees.

She said it was critical that decisions made today took into account the significant change in Australia’s demographic that will occur over the next 30 years. “In 2045 there will be 7.2 million Australians aged over 65 years – roughly a quarter of the population.” 

“Today, the over 65s represent 14 per cent and 30 years ago it was just eight per cent. There is much discussion globally about an ageing population but, with the right planning and appropriate decision-making, this really should be cause for celebration rather than concern,” said Murray. 

According to the UN, the theme of the day was chosen to draw attention to the efforts of older persons, civil society organisations, UN organisations and member states to place the issue of ageing on the international development agenda.

Other events staged locally to celebrate the UN day included a special talk on longevity and creativity, which was hosted by the Australian Human Rights Commission and featured distinguished author and poet David Malouf, Australia’s Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan and Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane.

See the film on IRT’s website on directly on youtube