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USC to research the challenges facing seniors
As Australia celebrates National Seniors Week this week, the University of the Sunshine Coast will begin research into key issues facing those aged 50 and over across Australia and in “sea change” areas in particular.
The research, sponsored by Munro Thompson Lawyers, will consider the housing, transport, safety, health and other needs of seniors who are set to make up a much greater proportion of the population in the years ahead.
Findings from this study will be presented, along with other new research, at the annual State of the Region Conference at USC on Tuesday 30 October.
This event will attract decision-makers, researchers and strategists from the public and private sectors to discuss major issues facing the Sunshine Coast.
Conference organiser Dr Scott Prasser said the research, entitled “Seniors and Their Challenges for the Sunshine Coast”, would seek to define, clarify and highlight the importance of seniors and help identify future action or research.
“Given the growing numbers of seniors, and their increasing proportion of the total population, we need to ensure that our society meets their future needs,” he said.
Munro Thompson Lawyers principal Terry Bethke said he believed the USC research into the challenges facing seniors would be the first of its kind for the Sunshine Coast.
“The research is important from a regional perspective because it will find out what seniors need when they come to the Sunshine Coast such as proper infrastructure, transport and accommodation,” he said.
“It also will help our clients in retirement villages in understanding what seniors require of them when they move into the retirement villages.”
The State of the Region conference also will feature a major session on the local government amalgamation, and the presentation of original research on issues including housing affordability, training and development needs and environmental sustainability.
The conference will have the theme “Revelations: the Sunshine Coast” and will be co-hosted by USC and the Committee for Economic Development of Australia with support by companies Munro Thompson, Cadet, Investa and Parsons Brinckerhoff.
For more details about the State of the Region Conference, contact David Gration on 0408 708 293.
– Terry Walsh