Connecting with Seniors project
An important dimension of the growing older population is the diversity of needs, interests and backgrounds. Older people are individuals and their experience of ageing will be influenced by a range of inter-related factors such as gender, lifestyle, location, socio-economic circumstances, cultural backgrounds, education level and general health.
ALGA's Connecting with Seniors project showcases local councils that have responded to the diversity of seniors in the development or delivery of policies or programs. This project is an initiative of the Australian Local Government Population Ageing Action Plan, which aims to build the capacity of local government to respond to ageing communities.
Want to suggest a case study? Please send details to Alley Peck alley.peck@alga.asn.au or phone 02 6122 9421.
Connecting with geographical diverse seniors
As Australia's population ages, regional populations will also age, some more than others. The proportion of the population aged 65 and over (seniors) has increased substantially in all regions over the last 20 years. In 2001, the highest concentrations of seniors were in non-urban (15.4%), urban costal (14.5%) regions and metropolitan inner suburbs (14.1%). This was closely followed by both inland rural (13.9%) and urban (13.3%) regions. Population ageing was less evident in metropolitan outer suburbs (9.9%) and both remote other (6.7%) and remote urban (6.2%) regions.
Population projections show that older populations will continue to be concentrated in local government areas along the Australian coastline. As Table 1 indicates, coastal regions will experience growth of 210% in the number of seniors between now and 2045. Australia's inland regions will also experience significant growth in the number of seniors with 179.7%.
| Region | 65+ in 2001 (%) | 65+ in 2045 (%) | Change 2001 - 2045 (%) | Growth in 65+ over 2001 - 2045 (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metropolitan | 12 | 30.1 | 18.5 | 129.3 |
| Coastal | 15.1 | 26.8 | 11.7 | 210.8 |
| Inland | 12.5 | 30.2 | 18.1 | 179.7 |
This presents challenges for many regions in terms of meeting the needs of the rapidly growing older population. Some regions will experience a growing demand for age related services which may include community transport, social support services, in home support and respite and allied health services. Pressures may not only be cost related but there may be an emerging trend to 2050 of shortages of suitably qualified care processional in some regions.
Source: Productivity Commission, Economic Implications of an Ageing Australia, 2005
Connecting with culturally and linguistically diverse seniors
In 2000, there were 768,900 older Australians who were born overseas. This population is projected to grow rapidly through the coming decades - reaching one million by 2011 and almost 1.5 million by 2026.
Currently, the main countries of birth for non-English speaking older people are Italy, Greece and the Netherlands, reflecting post-war migration flows to Australia. For future generations, this composition will reflect the increase in migration from Asia that has occurred since the 1970s.
As older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds age, local councils will need to give consideration to characteristics, such as population size, location, age and sex structure, living arrangements, health and disability status and proficiency in spoken English.
Source: Australian Social Trends 2002 - Population Composition: Older overseas-born Australians
Local council case studies
| City of Salisbury. SA | Local government response to diverse communities project |
| Dorset Council. TAS | Growing Older, Living Dangerously (GOLD) |
| Fairfield City Council. NSW | Fairfield Seniors Network |
| Holdfast Bay, City of. SA | Passa Tempo Program |
| Kingston, City of. VIC | Home and Community Care Information Sessions |
| Melville,City of. WA | Ethnic Melville Action Seniors Club |
| Mitchell Shire Council. VIC: | Integration of Aged Services |
| Mundaring, Shire of WA | Successful Ageing Seminars |
| Palmerston City Council. NT | Palmerston Senior Scooters |
| Wangaratta, Rural City of. VIC | Community Meals for Older Women - Adopt a Friend |
| Whittlesea, City of. VIC | Senior Citizens Liaison Program |
| Municipal Association of Victoria. VIC | Culturally Equitable Gateways Strategy |
