Keep a weather eye out for seniors
13 September 2011
Keep a weather eye out for seniors
Some of the most vulnerable members of the community could be left without basic services if Australia suffers another summer of wild weather, says the consumer lobby group for older Australians.
Flooding in both Queensland and Victoria last summer forced the evacuation of aged care and nursing homes in both Victoria and Queensland.
Reports in today’s Courier-Mail suggest some elderly residents were left without easy access to toilets and showers and had to sleep on inflatable beds.
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has also briefed Queensland Cabinet for the coming wet season, saying that the state is likely to experience above average rainfall, high bushfire danger and at least four cyclones.
National Seniors Australia CEO Michael O’Neill said more work was needed to ensure that aged care facilities coped as quickly and smoothly as possible in dealing with emergency evacuations.
“We welcome any moves to better protect the elderly,” Mr O’Neill said.
“But we need to ensure that that staff in aged care facilities are well trained to carry out evacuations for either the elderly residents or their local communities,” he said.
“The federal government could also help these communities by funding the training of elderly residents who are willing and able to help in emergencies, alongside the local SES personnel and emergency services.
“The elderly are some of the most vulnerable in our society and need to have first priority at times such as these.”
Media Contact: Rosemary Desmond 07 3233 9106
With a quarter of a million members Australia-wide, National Seniors is the consumer lobby for the over 50s. It is the fourth largest organisation of its type in the world.
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