Did you know that?
In Australia, since 1967, life expectancy has jumped by almost 14 years for males and 11 years for females
By 2066, the size of the population aged 65 years and over is projected to grow by 264 per cent, and the population aged 85 years and over is projected to grow by 506 per cent during the same period
By 2066, there will be 1.9 million people aged 85 and over, up from 580,000 today.
People are staying in their homes for longer. Between 2017 and 2025, the number of people utilising structured Home Care Packages grew by over 300%
By contrast, permanent residential aged care grew by less than 10% over that same eight-year period.
Australians are living longer than ever, and in their own homes for longer… but not all of those extra years are healthy ones.
The time people spend in both good health and poor health is rising, and the growing number of years lived with illness is driving up demand for, and spending on, health and aged care services. Several factors are behind the shift.
Chronic disease and lifestyle are key culprits, with around 61 per cent of Australians now living with at least one chronic health condition. For people in regional and remote communities, the picture is worse, with many facing unequal access to healthcare and support services. Policies that champion lifelong health, disease prevention and fair access to care could help Australians live not just longer, but better.
This International Day of Older People, we are celebrating the people, places and services that help older persons to stay active and connected in the community – while shining a light on the barriers that can make them harder to access.
Our new suite of Aged Care Courses provides aged care workers with the knowledge and skills to support older persons both living in the community and in residential aged care.
Our courses shift the focus from rigid checklists to the individual, in line with the new Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, ensuring older Australians receive safer, more dignified care that prioritises their rights, nutrition, and personal choices.
Australians are living longer than ever. Making sure those extra years are lived well, with the right to be heard and to make their own choices, starts with the people who support them every day.
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Author: Amanda Robinson (She/Her) BA, MMHealthPrac.
Dja Dja Wurrung and Taungurung Country
Amanda, Head of Learning and Development and an experienced specialist in NDIS and Aged Care, promotes capability and sustainability within the disability and health sectors. With over 15 years of experience, a Master’s in Mental Health Leadership and Management, and an MBA underway, she offers extensive expertise and personal insight as someone with lived experience of disability. A military veteran and dedicated carer of a veteran, Amanda advocates for Human Rights, striving to reduce stigma and eliminate barriers for those with disability and mental health challenges. She is enthusiastic about fostering strong stakeholder relationships through her advocacy, communication, strategic thinking, and analytical abilities.
