OLDER residents on the NSW Mid-North Coast are being invited to have their say on the future of the region.
MidCoast Council is seeking community input into a region-wide strategy to plan for the region's rapidly ageing population.
Members of the community are encouraged to share their views through a survey being conducted by council.
The ageing strategy aims to provide appropriate planning to ensure that our community environments, infrastructure and services are appropriate for older people in our communities.
"With 53 per cent of us aged over 50 and a sharp increase in the proportion of older residents over the next few years, it's important that we plan effectively for our ageing population, and understand what the issues are for our older residents," council's interim manager - Community Strengthening, Chris Jones said.
With a general shift from institutionalised aged care to ageing in place, it is important the community is prepared to accommodate this change.
Ageing in place is more than an older person having the ability to remain at home as they age - it's about the neighbourhood, available local services, transport services and social inclusion.
In early 2020, council plans to hold focus groups across the region, which will address in detail, the issues identified by the survey. The draft ageing strategy will then be prepared and provided to council for adoption.
The survey can be accessed online through council's website, www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/seniors or via hard copies also available by calling community services team on 7955 7235 until Friday, December 20.
