The issue of greatest concern for Gosnells residents, identified in community surveys, was personal safety. This was particularly the case with older residents. Although the City of Gosnells experiences lower than average crime, a perception of high crime rates was interfering with people’s ability to live life fully.
“Our senior population comprises a large number of older women living alone,” said Community Services Director, Adelle Cochran.
“They are not shrinking violets but rather many are feisty and fiercely independent women who do not want to be intimidated out of that independence.
“We saw it as our role to give them confidence in their community, and the freedom to continue to live as they wished.”
Gosnells’ Safe Seniors program is an extensive program involving emergency services, Council and the community. Through a series of workshops, personalised visits and other initiatives the program has restored a sense of security.
Adelle Cochran said Council took on the role of bringing all the relevant groups together so safety matters could be fully addressed.
Through community groups, Council coordinates workshops where seniors can learn about safety issues at home, on public transport and on the road, complete with a Council prepared showbag full of safety information.
Following the workshops, participants are encouraged to have a home visit from a team of police, fire officers and Council officers.
Community Services Officer, Rose Baillie, said the visits are very popular, not least for the fun created in the street when fire engines and police cars arrive.
“Our clients are forewarned,” she explained, “A thorough safety audit is carried out and recommendations made in a team environment.
“Seniors gain a much greater sense of security which they themselves can help to achieve by following up on the recommendations.
“Furthermore, they gain familiarity with the support services that are there to help them.”
The seniors receive a follow up visit from Council to check if recommendations have been put in place. Council also provides ongoing services, such as the replacement of batteries in smoke detectors.
Other initiatives to improve safety include health service support, driver safety workshops and a bus service which takes people on outings and provides an escort to the front door afterwards.
“The program is about empowering people to take responsibility for their own safety and counteracting misleading perceptions created by media hype,” Adelle Cochran said.
The program is currently being independently evaluated to measure its effectiveness and ascertain where it might be improved in the future.
The Seniors Safety Committee advises Gosnells’ SafeCity Task Force on seniors’ safety issues and acts as an advocacy and information exchange.
