Survey targets NT seniors

Seniors could stand to benefit from services that better meet their health, housing, employment and income needs by completing a survey being launched today.

Charles Darwin University’s The Northern Institute is working in partnership with the Council on the Ageing Northern Territory (COTA NT) to undertake the 2013 Seniors Survey throughout urban, remote and regional areas.

CDU Senior Research Fellow Dr Andrew Taylor said the survey would update current knowledge about changes to the profile and aspirations of NT seniors.

“Seniors comprise an increasingly significant proportion of the Northern Territory’s population,” Dr Taylor said.

COTA NT Chief Executive Officer Robyn Lesley said the organisation was interested in finding out more about the quality of life led by seniors, as well as those about to enter into their senior years.

“Information from the survey will be used to inform and improve services, programs and policies as we plan for the future of this important and growing proportion of the NT’s population,” Ms Lesley said.

Indigenous NT residents aged 45 years and older and other NT residents aged 55 years and older are encouraged to take part in the survey. Participation is voluntary and information collected will be stored securely and anonymously.

Hard copies of the survey are available at municipal council offices and public libraries, and will be distributed with the NT Seniors Month Calendar in early July.

For online and printable versions of the survey, visit W: www.cotant.org.au/2013/06/cota-nt-seniors-survey-2013/. Alternatively, contact COTA NT for over-the-phone assistance on 8941 1004.

The survey will close on 30 September 2013, and information will be analysed and compiled into a report, which will be published in early 2014.

The project is supported by the Darwin City Council and Northern Territory Government.

This research has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee at CDU.