Partnership to focus on ageing and dignity
In 2019 Stockland was pleased to partner with the Committee of Sydney and not-for-profit organisation, Baptistcare to produce the ‘Dignity and Choice’ report which highlighted the challenges in creating an inclusive future for Sydney’s ageing population.
In partnering with Baptistcare and the Committee of Sydney, Stockland not only contributed financially but also hosted a working group to best determine challenges to be answered within the document. Stockland General Manager of Retirement Living and Legal Operations, Kirrily Lord also produced a detailed foreword to the report outlining why the work was of vital importance.
The report profiles Australia’s ageing population and identifies key challenges that need to be overcome in order to ensure our cities remain inclusive and accessible for seniors.
Dignity & Choice considered the challenges of an ageing population in a range of different areas including:
- Meeting the housing needs of an ageing population
- Transport to keep us socially connected and healthy
- Planning principles for inclusive public spaces
- Healthy and active ageing
- Fostering social connection and good mental health
- Tackling the dementia challenge
The report also included Ipsos polling on how well Sydneysiders felt their community was catering to the seniors.
As one of Australia’s largest retirement living operators, Stockland understands the scale of the challenge in planning for the housing needs of Sydney’s ageing population.
The report was launched amongst an audience of industry and government representatives and included a keynote address from the Hon. John Sidoti MP, NSW Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism, Seniors and Veterans.
The launch served as a platform to facilitate further discussions around challenges faced by seniors and for key stakeholder to connect and continue to find solves these issues.
The report was covered extensively in Sydney media, with a predominately positive overall media sentiment and coverage including an exclusive one-hour episode on ABC Radio’s Focus program with Cassie McCullagh. The report also featured in the Daily Telegraph, focusing on both the polling commissioned to support the research and on some of our key recommendations.
Other online news outlets including Government News and Community Care Review highlighted the report’s recommendations on dementia.
Ultimately, this collaborative effort from Baptistcare, Committee of Sydney and Stockland has produced a report that will continue to facilitate further discussion in the Sydney community.
Over 12,000 residents call a Stockland retirement village their home. The ability participate in activities, share experiences in a community environment and still maintain their independence is of vital importance to Stockland. Producing reports like the ‘Dignity and Choice’ report allows us as a business to remain on top of the retirement living market, identify challenges and help to continue to provide high quality, community living for our residents.