Welcome to the Office for Ageing

The primary focus of the ACT Office for Ageing is on promoting positive ageing. Positive ageing is based on the idea that individuals have opportunities and are able to make choices that maximise their independence and control over their lives as they grow older.

Promotion of positive ageing is an important part of the ACT Government’s response to the opportunities and challenges posed by our ageing population.

It also has potentially significant benefits by reducing demands on the health care system and other social services.

Current Topics

ACT Strategic Plan for Positive Ageing

The ACT Strategic Plan for Positive Ageing 2010-2014: Towards an Age-Friendly City was launched by the Minister for Ageing, Joy Burch MLA, on 15 December 2009.

The Plan was developed in partnership with the ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing with extensive community input.
More information is available on the Strategic Plan webpage.

Life's Reflections Photographic Competition

Life’s Reflections is a community-focussed amateur photographic competition
and exhibition managed and supported by the ACT Office for Ageing on
behalf of the ACT Government.

The competition is open to all ACT residents and ACT school children across
four entrant categories.

Photographic entries must depict at least one person over the age of 55 years
and reflect the benefits of positive ageing, the importance of healthy, active
lifestyles and the value of intergenerational relationships for older persons.

Entry Form and Conditions of Entry RTF 72kb
Entry Form and Conditions of Entry PDF 1,358kb

For further assistance and information please contact 6205 3113 during business hours. Entries close 5.00pm, Friday, 19 February 2010.

Life's Reflections Photographic Competition flyer PDF 1.3mb

2009-2010 ACT Seniors Grants and Sponsorship Program

Information on the 2009/10 recipients are available at www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac/ageing/seniors_grants.

Social Isolation Amongst Older People in the ACT
Valuing and Including Our Seniors

In 2008, the ACT Office for Ageing commissioned Cultural and Indigenous Research Centre Australia (CIRCA) to undertake research into social isolation amongst older people in the ACT. The research looked at the older community generally, and also specifically at men and women over 60 years from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women over 50 years. This report will inform the Whole-of-Government Srategic Plan for Positive Ageing that we are currently developing.

Report on Social Isolation (January 2009) Word 407.5kb | PDF 5kb
Appendix Word 1,030kb | PDF 4.6mb

Strategic Review of the ACT Elder Abuse Prevention Program

In October 2008, the ACT Dpeartment of Disability, Housing and Community Services commissioned Communio Pty Ltd to undertake a Strategic Review of the ACT Elder Abuse Prevention Program. The Final Report, delivered in January 2009 made recommendations for the future development of the Elder Abuse Prevention Program aimed at developing a more co-ordinated and multidisciplinary approach to addressing abuse of older people in the ACT. In includes recommendations about prevention and advice services, the training of frontline workers, developing community awareness and more consistent data collection.

ACT Government will be working with key agencies to implement the recommendations of the Strategic Review and to ensure the best possible prevention and support strategies for the older members of our community.

Elder Abuse Final Report Word 445kb | PDF 253kb

2008-2010 ACT Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing

Reciprocal Public Transport Concessions

Reciprocal public transport concessions are now available across Australia to all Australian Seniors Card Holders.
More information

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