Face of Ageing - Introduction

Participation and Ageing
4 The faces of independence
4 The faces of eldercare
4 The faces of homelessness
4 The faces of health
4 The faces of spirituality

Recommendations

Contacts

References

Our Vision
Wesley Mission Sydney is a strategic city church committed to the proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and a ministry of word and deed throughout Australia, ministering to human need, utilising the media and providing personal and family care.

Our Values
Christ is central to all our values.
We are committed to a balanced ministry of the Word, Action and Spirit.
We therefore value and seek:

The worth of every individual
Personal salvation for all
The enhancement of skills, opportunities, knowledge and safety of our people
Integrity and accountability in all we do
Wise management of resources
Leadership founded on servanthood, vision and innovation

This report was prepared by
Wesley Mission's Strategic Planning & Development unit, (Manager Sharon Hoogland; Research Assistant, Megan Chambers) who wish to acknowledge the unique contributions of Wesley Mission Managers in areas covered by this report.

Special thanks to Dr Keith Suter (Consultant, Social Policy), Tracy Carr (Aged Care R&D), David McGovern (Public Relations Manager), Lyndal Parker (Graphic Designer) and Steven Chapman (Production Co-ordinator), Rev Dr Les Underwood and Rev Helen Edgerton.

Introduction

An ageing society is a successful society!

Today's generation of older persons has seen more significant change than any previous generation. They have experienced the trauma of at least one World War; survived the deprivation of the great depression; seen man land on the moon. They have grown through the industrial age, come to terms with the technological advances of the information age and are now participants in the knowledge age! Their values have survived the medical breakthrough of contraception, cures to a range of 'childhood' illnesses which they often experienced, the wonders of modern surgery. Major paradigm shifts which they have witnessed include the changing roles of men and women, the disappearance of 'real' money, the blurring of differences between the major political parties and the breakdown of family life, aided by the advent of television, dishwashing machines and numerous other household appliances. This generation has very quickly adapted to virtual reality and the computer world, with over 55's among the fastest growing group of users. They will be here to welcome in the third millennium.

Since our beginnings in 1812, Wesley Mission Sydney has had a relationship with, and ministry to, older persons. This is a remarkable story of both great joy and heart-breaking sorrow. Our ministry to older persons is as diverse as life itself, with caring services, hospital and mental health care as well as lively learning programs such as foreign languages, tap dancing, shuffle board competitions, computers and organised shopping tours.

Whilst celebrating the triumphs and achievements of many older persons, this report also represents a unique opportunity to highlight the plight of many others. This is done without apology, although with every care to protect the identity of individuals. Whilst quoting statistics, we are conscious that each number represents an individual person, who has their own story to tell. And yet, the statistics are often staggering.

Population ageing is a triumph - one of the most exciting and challenging trends in world history! The ageing of our Australian nation is a fact which requires our immediate attention and innovative response. We can embrace this triumph and take full advantage of the opportunities which arise from this demographic change. In this International Year of Older Persons, we must all of us - governments, communities, service providers and individuals, consider the implications of our statistics and make provision now for the challenges which will face us in the near and distant future.

The following issues are worthy of attention:

the need to develop a new paradigm of ageing - defining what it means to be old in the 3rd millennium and understanding what demographic shifts will be required,
the need to develop and maintain inter-generational relationships which contribute meaningful solutions to achieving long term social and community goals, and
the need to be excited about the range of possibilities which an ageing population presents, rather than focussing on the negatives and cost implications.

Global statistics

In 2000:

14.8% of the European population will be 65 and over.
In 2020, this is expected to increase to 19.3%.

In 2020:

700+ million (1 in 10 people) in the world are expected to be 65 years or older.

1 in 5 people (20%) in developed countries and 8% of the developing world population are projected to be 65+.

There is now a 'granny boom' around the world. Two-thirds of all those people in history who have ever reached 65 years of age, are still alive today.

Because women have a higher life expectancy than men at age 65, the proportion of disability-free years of life in old age for females is lower than for males.

People aged 65 and over is the fastest growing segment of the world population, and is expected to increase 88% by 2020 (compared with a 45% increase in the working age population).

Seven developing countries will be among the 10 countries with the largest elderly populations in the world: (China 231 million, India 145 million, Brazil 30 million, Indonesia 29 million, Pakistan 18 million, Mexico 15 million and Bangladesh 14 million).

It is estimated that three-quarters of all deaths in developing countries will be ageing-related and caused by non-communicable diseases such as diseases of the circulatory system, cancers, hypertension and diabetes.

By 2025:

26 countries will have a life expectancy at birth of above 80 years.
In most developed countries, older women make up more than 10% of the population, it is estimated that in many national populations this will exceed 15%.
In Italy and Japan, 1 in 6 people will be an elderly female.
The number of widows is on the rise worldwide.
While the proportion of widowed or never married females in developed countries is declining, the absolute numbers will increase in the future.

Australian Statistics

"Between 1985 and 1995 the life expectancy of Australian men increased by three years and women by two years.

Life expectancy at age 65 is now 15.8 years for men and 19.6 years for women."1

In 1996, 11% of males aged 60+ were widowed, and 40% of females.

In 1976, 1.3 million people in Australia were over 65 years (9% of the population).

In 1998, this figure will be 2.2 million (12%).

By 2016, it is expected that 3.6 million people will be 65+ (16%).

By 2041:

1 in 5 people will be over 65 years of age.

7% of the population will be over 80 years of age, compared with 3% in 1993 - the fastest growing group in Australia.

The number of over 65's in NSW is expected to rise from 0.7 million in 1993 to 1.8 million (from 12% to 22%).

The number of over 65's in NSW is expected to rise from 2.1 million in 1993 t5.5 million (also from 12% to 22%).

The ABS has predicted that in NSW, the population of working age will increase from 4.0 million in 1993 to 4.8 million. This is a decline from 66% of the total population to 60%.

In NSW the number of children 0-14 years will increase, however, this will be a decline as a proportion of the total population, from 21% in 1993 to 18%.2

By 2051

The percentage of people in the total population over 65 will have doubled since 1997, from 12.1% to 24.2%.3
The number of baby boomers over the age of 85 will have reached 1.1 million.4
Life expectancy at birth will have risen by five to seven years.5