HORSHAM residents fear the city’s elderly community has been forgotten.
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Horsham and District University of the Third Age members are calling for a purpose-built centre where elderly people could participate in a range of activities and programs, while also accessing other services.
University president Bob McIlvena said the group had more than 300 members and ran more than 100 classes a month, ranging from language lessons to music, gardening, painting and writing sessions.
Its main base is Horsham’s old railway station, but the building’s limited space and depreciation means the group must host its activities in a range of other venues across the city.
Mr McIlvena said this made it difficult for older people to access classes.
The group believes a one-stop-shop for the city’s ‘third age’ residents should be a top priority for Horsham.
“I don’t think people realise the number of people in the ‘third age’ bracket,” he said.
“Thanks to medical advances, there’s more of us than ever. But there’s very little funding directed to improving facilities for the elderly.
“Horsham lacks a suitable place to cater for the programs we offer and the many more that should be added.
“We need a central place with extensive surrounds, ample car parking and other suitable transport options.”
Mr McIlvena said Horsham had an opportunity to lead the field in establishing such a centre. He said the venue could include spaces for a variety of classes and sessions, as well as access to minor medical services.
“I know of nothing else like this in the state,” he said.
“I believe we could set the scene for western Victoria with a venue like this, that caters for everybody in that upper age bracket.
“It’s the one great equaliser – we’re all heading towards that age. And you want something to look forward to.
“You are not just old any more – you want to be old with options.
“I have become well aware of the increase in numbers of our older generation and also their preference to remain within the general community and their desire to continue to participate in some form of activity, entertainment, or educational endeavour.
“I am greatly concerned that we are not doing enough to assist them.”
Mr McIlvena said a ‘one-stop-shop’ for the city’s elderly would help older people become more engaged in their communities.
“The university gives people a reason to get up in the mornings – it gives people life,” he said.
“But I fear there are still too many people sitting at home with limited human contact, unaware of what options might be available to them to improve their quality of life.
“I have no doubt that if an appropriate person-centred facility with appropriate programs was available, the number of seniors attending the various groups would double.”
Horsham and District U3A secretary Denise McMillan said a venue tailored to elderly people was vital.
“Everyone is getting older, and you can't expect them to run all over Horsham,” she said.
“A purpose-built place would enable us to tailor our program to suit the members.
“At the moment, we're restricted. “We are not just limited with the spaces we have available, but limited with what we can do.
“We have dozens of different classes, but it would good for the community to broaden the number of programs we have.”