Ashburton looks to support ageing population
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Facing a rapidly ageing population, the Ashburton District has received a funding boost to prepare an age friendly action plan.
Safer Mid Canterbury, a local community service provider, has a steering group leading the project that has been awarded $15,000 from Office for Seniors Age friendly Fund.
The Government agency provides grants to projects that promote the inclusion of older people and help cities and communities prepare for their ageing populations.
Safer Mid Canterbury steering group chairperson, deputy mayor Liz McMillan (pictured) said the grant will be used for a needs assessment as the first step in developing an age friendly strategy.
“A steering group will be set up next year and there will be some research into what the need is in the district.”
The research will include speaking with older people in the Ashburton District and to the agencies which work with them, as well as analysing Census and other relevant data.
Findings and data collected in the needs assessment research will be developed into an Age Friendly Strategy and Action Plan for Ashburton District.
The number of over 65s rose by 14% since 2018, according to the Census data.
Residents aged over 65 make up a fifth of the district’s population and the number is predicted to grow, McMillan said.
“Older Ashburton residents contribute hugely to the wellbeing of our community through continuing to work, volunteering, caring for grandchildren, being involved in community activities as well as being good neighbours and active members of society.
“We look forward to highlighting and celebrating the contributions of older people to our district and further developing and improving areas which will make the lives of our district’s older residents better.”
Office for Seniors age friendly programme lead Karen Piercy said she was proud of Ashburton for taking their first steps in developing an age friendly strategy.
“By identifying what’s important for older people in their community, we can help make Ashburton an amazing place to age well.”
We're talking new year resolutions...
Tidying the house before going to bed each night, meditating upon waking or taking the stairs at work.
What’s something quick, or easy, that you started doing that made a major positive change in your life?
⚠️ DOGS DIE IN HOT CARS. If you love them, don't leave them. ⚠️
It's a message we share time and time again, and this year, we're calling on you to help us spread that message further.
Did you know that calls to SPCA about dogs left inside hot cars made up a whopping 11% of all welfare calls last summer? This is a completely preventable issue, and one which is causing hundreds of dogs (often loved pets) to suffer.
Here are some quick facts to share with the dog owners in your life:
👉 The temperature inside a car can heat to over 50°C in less than 15 minutes.
👉 Parking in the shade and cracking windows does little to help on a warm day. Dogs rely on panting to keep cool, which they can't do in a hot car.
👉 This puts dogs at a high risk of heatstroke - a serious condition for dogs, with a mortality rate between 39%-50%.
👉 It is an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to leave a dog in a hot vehicle if they are showing signs of heat stress. You can be fined, and prosecuted.
SPCA has created downloadable resources to help you spread the message even further. Posters, a flyer, and a social media tile can be downloaded from our website here: www.spca.nz...
We encourage you to use these - and ask your local businesses to display the posters if they can. Flyers can be kept in your car and handed out as needed.
This is a community problem, and one we cannot solve alone. Help us to prevent more tragedies this summer by sharing this post.
On behalf of the animals - thank you ❤️
What word sums up 2024, neighbours?
If 2020 was the year of lockdowns, banana bread, and WFH (work from home)....
In one word, how would you define 2024?
We're excited to see what you come up with!
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