Older people bring enormous value to the community they live in. This fact is not lost on Gore district, which embraces an age friendly mindset and has one of, if not the oldest population in Aotearoa.
A third of Gore’s population is over 50 years old, and the 65+ age group is now the fastest growing segment of the world’s population.
Ready for Living aims to assist the Gore district to support its ageing population by creating a more enabling and inclusive environment.
Community discussions led by Gore District Council found there was a need to address the lack of knowledge and education about what was available for older people in Gore and neighbouring districts.
Ready for Living provided information to older people and their whānau in the form of a booklet, Living Well in Later Years, designed to help them navigate relevant local services and connections to help combat loneliness.
It includes medical services, support for living at home, social opportunities, other support and community organisations open to the public to attend and join.
Gore District Council Community Strategy Manager Kylie Aitken said they have received great feedback on the booklet from the community and local organisations, with some even saying it was the best thing the council has ever done.
It was important that it was a printed booklet, as the older generation are most familiar with this medium.
“But being a printed booklet, we needed to keep it up-to-date, so it has been great to have the financial support from Community Trust South to be able to do this,” she said.