Staying physically healthy and maintaining beneficial relationships are the top two ageing well priorities for Australians, according to early data from Bolton Clarke’s Ageing Well Report 2024.
The report – based on a national survey taken in July with 2,005 Australians across six age cohorts from 25-34 to 75- plus – also finds having more choices about work, more time to focus on wellbeing, and more time to spend with friends and family, are the top things people are looking forward to about ageing across all age groups.
Conversely, people most fear losing their physical health, with loss of independence the second biggest concern for those aged over 65 – highlighting critical priority areas for governments and providers.
A staggering 68 per cent of respondents, including a majority in every age group and 78 per cent of respondents over 55, believe Australia is not well equipped to deal with an ageing population.
The data – part of the organisation’s campaign to encourage people to think positively about ageing – will further inform the not-for-profit provider’s work to broaden the conversation on what ageing means in Australia and how to meet the changing needs of an ageing population.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that “as we age, we progressively shift our focus from work to other things that give us purpose and joy…yet… as a nation Australia has drifted into an ageist mindset that undervalues older people and limits their possibilities”.
Bolton Clarke Group CEO Stephen Muggleton said it’s important to listen to what Australians are saying about ageing to identify areas for improvement, as well as challenge the ageist stereotype.
“The Commission found that making positive change begins with changing how we think, but over the past decade there’s been a focus on the negative aspects of growing older and this does little to help people plan ahead for how they’re going to keep living well,” he said.
“We’re hoping to challenge some of those limitations and get people thinking about ageing more positively.
“Australians are living longer and ageing better – our life expectancy is the fourth highest in the world and on average, Australians born today can expect to live well into their 80s and to be healthier and more active into older age.
“But prevailing attitudes overwhelmingly label older people with negative stereotypes and dismiss active, engaged seniors as an unrepresentative anomaly to be ignored.
“It’s time to turn the tables and remind people that ageing is just another word for living and that getting older is still compatible with doing the things you enjoy, learning new things and contributing to your community.”
Bolton Clarke’s campaign comes after an announcement earlier this year that the Group’s former Allity, McKenzie Aged Care Group and Acacia Living Group operations and teams would come together under the Bolton Clarke name.
The Group’s growth is about creating connected care and living options focused on helping people age well.
Kirsty Stein
Media and External Relations Manager
Bolton Clarke