Bellarine’s aging population the focus of meeting

BELLARINE Aged Care Association (BACA) will host its first Age-Friendly Community group meeting next week.

The event aims to answer any queries or ideas regarding the needs of the aged and ageing on the Bellarine, age-friendly communities or the role and function of BACA.

BACA was formed three years ago and evolved from the North Bellarine Hostel for the Aged (Ann Nichol House).

The association aims to represent the needs of the aged and ageing on the Bellarine, and to provide a voice, advocacy and support regarding delivery of services and residential models for aged and frail people on the Bellarine.

BACA’s efforts are based on the fundamental belief in community participation and the community’s right to be involved in decisions that directly affect outcomes in the community. Specifically, this means having a say in the decision-making processes relating to the needs and provisions of services for the aged and frail of the Bellarine.

In 2016, councils were encouraged to demonstrate their support for the “Declaration for an Age-Friendly Victoria”, and their commitment to creating liveable communities for older Victorians, by endorsing the Declaration signed by the MAV President and Minister for Ageing Martin Foley in April 2016.

The City of Greater Geelong (COGG) is a signatory.

“Currently, the new city councillors are working on a Strategic Plan for the next three years so now is the time to get involved in encouraging COGG to look at making the Bellarine an age-friendly peninsula and creating age-friendly communities within the area.

“More than 33 per cent of the population of the Bellarine Peninsula are aged over 60 – what huge resource we have to access!

“Retirees form the backbone of our area why not ‘use it not lose it’, join us to explore our potential in making the Bellarine age-friendly.”

The meeting is at Springdale Neighbourhood Centre on Thursday May 17 at 10am to noon. For more information visit bellarineaca.weebly.com.