AUSTRALIA: Seniors Just Want Independence, Shows Mackay Survey

MACKAY, Queensland, Australia (Daily Mercury), August 20, 2007: A survey of Mackay's seniors has found that they want their independence more than anything else. That means they want to maintain their ability to live alone and they want to be able to keep driving their cars. The research was financed by organisations including the Mackay City Council help plan for Mackay's ageing population as part of Seniors Week which has started. The study was conducted by volunteer researchers aged from 50 to 70 who volunteered experience, time and community to find out what helps or hinders seniors in joining `physical or social activities, along with their perceptions of safety. Researcher Joan Vickers from Mirani said she knows what works and what doesn't. "We've lived here for a long time, so just ask us. "Give us a hand to get the services we need," she said. © APN News & Media Ltd 2006.