EVENTS during Seniors Week are demonstrating there is great support for our senior citizens as they move through different chapters of their lives but their physical and mental needs mean governments at all levels must remain receptive to this growing section of the community.
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Orange like most communities is becoming more aware of our ageing population and the challenges that will put on services.
In recent weeks we have seen the unveiling of a nursing home and a retirement village which will vastly improve the accommodation options for older citizens.
We have also seen the NSW government respond to concerns from CSU academics about the impact of the demise of train services by promising to replace the aging XPT service with a better train connection to Sydney.
The key concern of the academics was the tendency of older citizens to become more isolated and even less likely to travel if the right transport options were not open to them.
Put simply, rail travel with its toilet and canteen facilities, aisles and abundant room for the elderly is preferred over coach travel by many seniors.
Another mobility issue is that around footpaths and the challenges walking in the city can present. For younger more agile people, a mound in a footpath or the raised lip of a concrete slab are not issues. This type of hazard easily seen and navigated round.
The same cannot be said for the elderly and all people with vision or mobility issues.
Orange has a footpath improvement program underway but as one vision impaired resident said yesterday a spray of yellow paint on a rough surface is no use to someone who cannot see it - for whatever reason.
Orange can be proud of the way it takes care of its seniors however this week is a reminder it cannot afford to become complacent.