The number of Victorians older than 60 will more than double by 2056, with our state leading the way in the greying of the world’s population
By 2056, those older than 60 will make up 27 per cent of Victoria’s population, compared to about 20 per cent of the world’s population
‘On this International Day of Older Persons, it’s worth reminding people of the enormous contribution that senior Victorians make and will continue to make,’ said the CEO of the Council on the Ageing Victoria, Tina Hogarth-Clarke.
‘Older Victorians are more likely to volunteer, put in unpaid hours as carers, parents and grandparents and they bring significant diversity with more than 40 per cent of older Victorians born overseas,’ Ms Hogarth-Clarke said.
Ms Hogarth-Clarke challenged the community to reverse its ageist attitudes.
‘Too often the community sees older people as a burden – an attitude that leads to older Victorians being left behind or left out; excluded from job and housing opportunities and the rights that many of their fellow Victorians take for granted.’
Victorians throughout the state will be reminded of the contribution that the state’s older people make with Seniors Festival beginning on Sunday 6 October.
Last year, more than 150,000 people attended the state-wide festival and at least as many Victorians are expected to attend the more than 2,500 free or low-cost events this year.
COTA Victoria will run a host of consumer and lifestyle-focussed sessions, which are sure to add significant value to the lives of those who attend. They include:
- author Jen Hutchison, who will be speak about her journey as a mother and a writer and inspire us with the possibility of all that can come after we ‘retire’ from the workforce
- Mary Harnan will take up the mantle of Japanese organising expert Marie Kondo and teach you how to sort your stuff out, identify treasures and let go of the unnecessary
- financial counselling services that can help you manage your debts, communicate with creditors and exercise your consumer rights
- assistance and inspiration to help you reminisce and record the stories of your life for the benefit of future generations.
For further information about COTA Victoria’s activities during the Victorian Seniors Festival visit our website: https://cotavic.org.au. More information about Seniors Festival is available at https://www.seniorsonline.vic.gov.au/festivalsandawards.
More information on the International Day of the Older Persons website.