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A majority
of Australians over 50 have no intention of moving into a nursing home when
they get frail, and expect governments to support the development of alternative
forms of aged care and accommodation, a Galaxy Poll has found.
The lack of enthusiasm for
traditional aged care homes has resulted in most baby boomers putting off a
decision on their futures until they can no longer live at home, shows research
conducted for The Benevolent Society.
Of the 1,000 people aged
over 50 polled across NSW, as many as 75 per cent said they would only move
into a nursing home if they had no other choice.
“The research clearly demonstrates
that older Australians are looking for something other than traditional establishments
to provide the accommodation and care they need in later life,” said Richard
Spencer, the Chief Executive of the Society.
“The figures back-up other
expert findings on attitudes to future aged care and accommodation among baby
boomers, especially in terms of the strong preference for maintaining independence
and remaining in close proximity to family and friends.
“These preferences are solid
and widespread and send a strong message to governments and to the aged care,
retirement and housing industries about what older Australians will be demanding
over the next 10 to 15 years.
“They place great store
in the need for living independently as long as possible, in having easy access
to health care services, and in staying in their neighbourhood of choice and
being close to loved ones,” Mr Spencer said.
Australia’s older population
is growing at an unprecedented rate. In the next 12 years alone the proportion
of the population aged above 65 years will increase from 14 to 18 per cent.
In 2006, there were 2.7
million Australians over the age of 65; some 322,000 were over 85. During
the next 25 years, it is this latter group – the group most likely to need care
and support - that will increase most rapidly, as the baby boomer generation
enters late old age.
Federal, State and Territory
recurrent expenditure on aged care services is now in excess of $8.6 billion
a year (2005-06 figures, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). Of this,
expenditure on nursing homes and hostels costs government around $5.6 billion
a year and rising.
The Galaxy research showed
there was general agreement among the over-50s that the government must shoulder
the burden of increased costs for care, support and accommodation for the nation’s
ageing population.
Overall, 78 per cent believe
that the government must start to budget now for the blow-out in costs that
is expected to occur in the next 10-15 years.
The preference for the government
to continue to meet the costs of care, support and accommodation of elderly
Australians was observed across all demographic groups.
Other key findings of the
polling included:
- City residents are the
most negatively disposed to nursing homes, while those in regional and rural
areas are the most positive;
- Up to 61 per cent of
people over 50 believe that they only need to think seriously about aged care
accommodation when the family home ceases to become an option;
- Those aged 50-59 years
are the most negatively disposed to nursing homes, and those over 70 years
the most positive.;
- People who have worked
in a nursing home are the most negatively disposed to them;
- 82 per cent of over 50s
would prefer a new style of accommodation and care for older people.
The Benevolent Society is
preparing to spend $64 million on an innovative accommodation and care project
in Waverley that is based on a successful European model. It is hoping that
the model will be widely replicated in order to meet the significant demands
from baby boomers for alternative aged care arrangements.
The Benevolent Society has
lodged a Development Application for the scheme, which guarantees 40 per cent
of the proposed apartments will be set aside as affordable housing for pensioners
and low income individuals and couples. The scheme will provide support and
services for older people that will enable them to continue living independently.
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