Port Lincoln has long been an enviable community to retire in, purely for its stunning coastline, great amenities, and idyllic pastimes. Now a new target is adding the City’s accessibility and supports for ageing well to that list.
Councillor Robyn Rowsell, David Johnston, Minister Nat Cook MP, Lavinia Richards, Jackie Johnston and Councillor Peter Linn met to discuss ageing well in Port Lincoln on 10 May 2024.
Over the past 12 months, the City of Port Lincoln together with community have proactively planned how to better support residents to age well, culminating in Empowering our elders: A Strategy for Living and Ageing Well in Port Lincoln, adopted by Council this month.
Mayor Diana Mislov said the strategy was developed following robust, targeted discussions with community members, and strategic consultation with industry such as aged care and health providers, housing, and community services, and it sought to address some complex challenges.
“We live in a very digital world now, and while there are great things for our residents to get involved in and great services available here in Port Lincoln, our residents have told us how hard it can be to access information,” she said.
“A key action in our new strategy is to expand our already popular, free digital literacy training programs, to reach more residents and help them navigate the services and connections they need.”
The accessibility of the physical environment has also been recognised as important for an ageing population, and Council has committed to an accessibility audit of council-owned facilities.
“This will help us understand how to improve the useability and friendliness of our buildings, walkways and other amenities, as they are built or improved in future,” Mayor Mislov said.
The strategy has also been designed to assist the council and community to come together and tackle ageism, supporting generations to value and enjoy each other. Celebrating diversity and engaging with elders of all cultures and backgrounds is among its goals.
“None of us think of ourselves as ageing, yet we all are,” Mayor Mislov said.
“Along with our community, we want to celebrate our residents, their heritage, contributions, personalities and stories – they really are a library, which our community should value, learn from and share, and this will strengthen the community as a whole.”
A cross-section of inspirational Port Lincoln residents lent their voice to their experience of getting older in Port Lincoln in a series of short documentaries to promote the Empowering Our elders strategy and project, which can be viewed on City of Port Lincoln’s YouTube Channel.
The Empowering Our Elders Empowers Our Community project was supported by Office for Ageing Well, SA Health, through an Age Friendly SA Grant to the City of Port Lincoln. Find out more about Office for Ageing Well Grants on the SA Health website.