International Day of Older Persons is recognised on 1 October, with this year’s theme Resilience of older persons in a changing world.
It is an important day for everyone to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of seniors in our community
Jan Standen, the 2022 Western Australian Senior of the Year in the Australian of the Year Awards, City of Joondalup Citizen of the Year and President of Grandparents Rearing Grandchildren WA (GRGWA), embodies this resilience.
Jan says age is just a number … “apart from a few creaking bones I still feel young at heart … we may be in our older years however 73 is, I believe, the new 60 … my grandchildren believe I am 26 …I guess you could say the grandchildren keep us young.”
The State Government is committed to challenging the stereotypes of ageism. The WA Seniors Strategy 2023-2033 will support and promote seniors, encourage community action, and drive government change.
More than 2000 Western Australians have taken part in consultation for the strategy which includes themes of ageing with choice and living independently, inclusion and respect, participation and employment, accessible information and services, rights and advocacy, financial and housing security, communication and digital literacy and healthy and safe living.
WA Seniors Week will be held from 6-11 November this year.
