Post by Banker on Aug 1, 2011 8:06:48 GMT 7
COAST seniors have welcomed the appointment of Australia's first Age Discrimination Commissioner, as she prepares to take on “the issue of our time”.
Former Hawke government minister Susan Ryan was appointed to the new position on Saturday, making her the chief advocate for younger and older people in workplaces and the wider community.
Australian Pensioners and Superannuants League Caloundra president Frank Gower said he was thrilled by the move, which will take effect on August 8.
“The new department means seniors have a voice.
"It is a genuine and firm contact and it is well overdue,” Mr Gower said.
“We have been screaming for something like this for years, and we just hope it is a genuine department and not a smokescreen.”
Ms Ryan said she planned to tackle age discrimination, bullying and exploitation of youths in the workplace, as well as improving health care in nursing homes.
“I expect that the biggest part of the job will be dealing with the very widespread discrimination against older people, particularly when it comes to jobs,” Ms Ryan said.
“We need to raise awareness that older people are very often a good source of experience and skills.”
But Mr Gower thinks the rising financial cost of aged care should be Ms Ryan's top priority.
“The first thing they should address is the cost of a person entering a nursing home, because when a single person enters a nursing home, the cost is astronomical,” Mr Gower said.
“The financial bond is unbelievable.
"No person entering a nursing home should have to pay more than 90% of their pension.
"It should be subsidised by the government.”
Mr Gower said Ms Ryan should also look into inadequate public transport and access to medical care for seniors.
“We need Kawana hospital and we need to have the department look at medical services, not just on the Sunshine Coast but throughout Queensland,” Mr Gower said.
Bli Bli resident Michael Ballinger, 67, hopes Ms Ryan will encourage seniors to be more active participants in the community.
“The most important issue is that seniors are housebound.
"That's a real situation and I think they need to make an effort to get people out of their homes.”
Most importantly, Mr Ballinger said he hoped Ms Ryan would be accessible, so she could be an adequate voice for seniors' concerns.
“She needs to put out the information that she's available, that she's in the community and that she's contactable,” Mr Ballinger said.
“With our ageing population, it's important we have a voice for our seniors.”
www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/08/01/role-gives-seniors-a-voice/
Former Hawke government minister Susan Ryan was appointed to the new position on Saturday, making her the chief advocate for younger and older people in workplaces and the wider community.
Australian Pensioners and Superannuants League Caloundra president Frank Gower said he was thrilled by the move, which will take effect on August 8.
“The new department means seniors have a voice.
"It is a genuine and firm contact and it is well overdue,” Mr Gower said.
“We have been screaming for something like this for years, and we just hope it is a genuine department and not a smokescreen.”
Ms Ryan said she planned to tackle age discrimination, bullying and exploitation of youths in the workplace, as well as improving health care in nursing homes.
“I expect that the biggest part of the job will be dealing with the very widespread discrimination against older people, particularly when it comes to jobs,” Ms Ryan said.
“We need to raise awareness that older people are very often a good source of experience and skills.”
But Mr Gower thinks the rising financial cost of aged care should be Ms Ryan's top priority.
“The first thing they should address is the cost of a person entering a nursing home, because when a single person enters a nursing home, the cost is astronomical,” Mr Gower said.
“The financial bond is unbelievable.
"No person entering a nursing home should have to pay more than 90% of their pension.
"It should be subsidised by the government.”
Mr Gower said Ms Ryan should also look into inadequate public transport and access to medical care for seniors.
“We need Kawana hospital and we need to have the department look at medical services, not just on the Sunshine Coast but throughout Queensland,” Mr Gower said.
Bli Bli resident Michael Ballinger, 67, hopes Ms Ryan will encourage seniors to be more active participants in the community.
“The most important issue is that seniors are housebound.
"That's a real situation and I think they need to make an effort to get people out of their homes.”
Most importantly, Mr Ballinger said he hoped Ms Ryan would be accessible, so she could be an adequate voice for seniors' concerns.
“She needs to put out the information that she's available, that she's in the community and that she's contactable,” Mr Ballinger said.
“With our ageing population, it's important we have a voice for our seniors.”
www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/story/2011/08/01/role-gives-seniors-a-voice/