The Ministerial Advisory Committee on Ageing (MACA) had two priority project areas in 2006-07:
Reporting on these projects is currently being finalised.
Work and Older People project
The MACA Work and Older People project researched the different ways in which older people engage with their communities.
The overall aim was to identify policies and systems that support older people as workers and the barriers to older people’s participation in work.
The scope of the project included full and part time waged work, self employment, training, social entrepreneurship, and unpaid work such as volunteering and caring.
The project involved:
- A review of key literature and workforce statistics
- A summary of mature workforce programs
- A summary of the types of paid and unpaid work older people engage in (including self employment, part time work, volunteering and caring)
- A qualitative research project commissioned in conjunction with the Office for Ageing in the NSW Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care to explore older people’s involvement in different types of work and to investigate what factors help older people to participate in different types of work, with a focus on older people who have worked in semi and unskilled jobs
- A roundtable discussion with representatives of job networks, employment services, business, training organisations and government to identify barriers and enablers to older people’s paid employment, and to discuss policies and strategies to promote employment opportunities suited to older workers.
The Committee is currently finalising reporting on this project.
Building Good Communities for Older People
The Building Good Communities for Older People project aimed to contribute to recognising the contribution of older people to their communities and improving the quality of life of older people.
Through consultation and research, MACA has sought to develop an understanding of how older people engage in and are supported by their communities, and what policies and programs can enhance their engagement.
The project involved:
- A roundtable discussion with older people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities regarding what makes a good community for older people
- Two seminars on the theme of Living Alone, Staying in Touch, held during Seniors Week 2007 and hosted by broadcaster Julie McCrossin
- A review of key literature on older people and social inclusion.
The Committee is currently finalising reporting on this project.