Canada bay Council Seniors Week Event
Canada Bay Council’s Seniors Week event was highly successful, attracting 120 community members who came together to participate in a day dedicated to promoting health, wellbeing, safety, and community connection. The event provided a welcoming space where older residents, community organisations, and service providers could engage, share information, and strengthen connections within the local community.
The session commenced with a welcome address from the Ageing and Disability Commissioner (NSW), who provided an overview of the important work undertaken by the Commission to protect the rights, safety, and wellbeing of older people and adults with disability. During the address, the Commissioner highlighted the issue of elder abuse, raising awareness about its different forms and the significant impact it can have on individuals, families, and communities. The presentation emphasised the importance of recognising the signs of abuse, promoting respectful relationships, and encouraging community members to seek support or report concerns where necessary. This address set a thoughtful and informative tone for the event and reinforced the shared responsibility to ensure older people are treated with dignity, respect, and safety.
A panel of guest speakers delivered presentations on key topics relevant to older people, including maintaining health and wellbeing, staying connected with local services, and protecting oneself online through cyber security awareness. These presentations provided practical information and strategies to support seniors in maintaining their independence and remaining informed about issues affecting their daily lives.
A number of aged care and community service providers also attended the event, offering information about the range of services and supports available to older people in the community. Importantly, information was provided in both English and community languages, ensuring that culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community members were able to access and understand the resources available to them.
The Inner West Sector Support and Development (SSD) Officer also participated in the event, providing information and support to the 120 seniors in attendance. Information was delivered in both English and community languages to ensure accessibility and understanding for all participants. The SSD Officer, together with the Chinese-speaking Bilingual Educator from the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW (ECCNSW), shared information on Tech Savvy classes, recent changes to the aged care system, how to access aged care services, and how to navigate the aged care system, including practical guidance on available pathways to support and community services.
In addition, the ECCNSW Chinese-speaking Bilingual Educator shared information about ECCNSW initiatives, including the Tech Savvy digital literacy program, which is designed to support culturally and linguistically diverse older people to build confidence in using technology and accessing online services.
Alongside the presentations and information stalls, a range of interactive wellbeing activities were facilitated throughout the day to enhance the experience for attendees. These included activities such as hand massages, which were warmly received by participants and contributed to the relaxed and engaging atmosphere of the event.
Overall, the Seniors Week event provided a valuable opportunity for older residents to connect with services, gain important information, and engage with their community. The strong attendance and positive participation demonstrated the importance of such initiatives in supporting older people to remain informed, connected, and active within their local community.
