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Global statistics 4 Australian statistics The Impact of an Ageing Population Lifestyle and Ageing Participation and Ageing
Our Vision Our Values
This report was prepared by 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. |
Lifestyle and Ageing Ageing is in the eye of the beholder! While older people may look a certain age and chronologically be a certain age, research reveals that they do not mentally feel their age.21, 22 More older people today are physically fit, healthy and living longer. One way to help ensure an active retirement is to keep body and mind healthy. Physical fitness, good nutrition and mental activity are virtually guaranteed to stave off any negative effects associated with growing older. This ensures that the body can keep up with the older person's concept of "self" which does not age. A link has also been found between activity and exercise and positive self-concepts in the elderly. Other links include remaining sexually active and engaging in activities that they enjoy. According to a US researcher, "elderly persons who are able to decide what is "right" for them and behave accordingly have the highest morale."23 Evidence from the Australian Council on the Aged (ACOTA) shows that one reason why Senior Citizen Centres are poorly attended is because of their negative stereotypes.24 Some factors mentioned by older people which could improve their quality of life include, "good neighbours and friends, good health, a happy marriage and a happy family; being content with what you have got."25 Five traits that gerontologists suggest are necessary for a longer and more comfortable life are:
The baby boomers, having grown up in a time of rapid social change, are even more likely than their parents to desire an active retirement. There is little reason why this desire should not be met, other than ill health and disability. While there are many options open to older persons, possibly more than they realise, there are constraints which should be acknowledged. Other threats to lifestyle cited by older persons in a survey of 1,415 persons 55 to 75 years of age included: 27
…the faces of aged care The face of aged care is changing.
The vast majority live in the community. Once the sole preserve of churches and charities, private sector involvement now accounts for nearly half of all residents of retirement villages nationally. Whilst the United States has 20% of its retiree's living in villages, Australia has only 4% - so the industry is confident of an exponential leap in demand in the next decade.29 Australia's demand for retirement villages may well be expected to increase as the baby boom bulge ages. Their expectations may include maintaining a lifestyle of al fresco dining, multi-channel cable television, Internet access, two car garages and more! The affluent boomers will have tastes and needs (financial services advisors?) to challenge the planners of future aged care facilities. With the introduction and success of Community Aged Care Packages (CACP), many frail older people are assisted to remain in their own homes for as long as they are able. However this has meant that residents who come into aged care facilities are now much older and frailer than previously, and have different needs for care and service delivery. CACP's do not meet all needs. Older people suffering from dementia, or who have been diagnosed with a psychiatric illness really require the support of a residential facility. Wesley Mission is a major provider of aged care services, through our nursing homes, hostels, retirement villages and Home Care. We witness every day that many older persons are very active. Many feel the need to contribute to the community after a lifetime of service to businesses and their family. Older people love to be involved in all sorts of activities, they enjoy being included in groups and and have many stories to tell. Residents are also encouraged to participate in the life of their facility through committee involvement, review teams as well as social activities including gardening, craft, group games and caring for resident pets. Our oldest resident is 105 years, with an alert mind and a determination to be envied!
RECOMMENDATIONS
…the faces of ageing with a disability
Older people with a disability face the same issues as the general older population, and where appropriate Wesley Mission meets these needs using the same generic services such as Meals on Wheels and Home Care. They can continue to actively participate in society as valued members of their communities, when they are able to access services. Wesley Accommodation Support Services supports older people with a disability, with our most senior service user being 71 years of age. Our older service users are assisted and supported to participate in a variety of activities and programmes based on their individual interests. Some activities currently pursued include Wesley School for Seniors, local evening colleges, Chinese cooking classes, flower arranging classes, assertiveness training, computer classes, literacy and numeracy classes, bush walking, hot air ballooning, volunteering as a tea lady at a local nursing home and as a member of the NSW Home Care Services Board. Michelle and Dawn have a dream. It is a simple dream but, for a while, it looked like it may never have been realised. The mother and daughter wanted to live together, but unfortunately, Michelle's disability and Dawn's increasing age and frailty meant the chances of this happening were becoming more and more remote. At 44, Michelle's physical condition was deteriorating. Born with a severe physical disability, she was requiring round-the-clock-care and Dawn was the only person able, and willing to give it. Or so she thought. Prior to Wesley Mission's intervention, Dawn had managed to cope with the demands of caring for a disabled adult child. However, this was primarily because her husband (Michelle's step-father) had been around to lend a hand. When he died, Dawn found the demands just too much. In desperation, she turned to the Wesley Home Care service in Sydney's Inner West. Working in conjunction with Wesley Disability Support Services (WDSS), the staff allayed the concerns and anxieties both women had and were able to lend Dawn the necessary support to care for Michelle, while she was able to receive assistance and care from WDSS. The two are still together and Michelle continues to spend time with her beloved pets: a rabbit, some fish and a cat.
Jeanette and Frank were born in Lismore and grew up on separate dairy farms in the area. They went to school together, and eventually married and settled into their careers. Jeanette fulfilled a lifelong dream of becoming a nursing sister and Frank became a high school teacher, as some of his friends did too. They belonged to a close knit, happy and outgoing social group, enjoying holidays together and sharing their milestones of buying homes, and having babies. Jeanette and Frank had a daughter, Joan, whom they loved deeply, even though the pregnancy was unplanned, and interrupted Jeanette's career for a little while. However, with grandparents eager to provide child-minding, Jeanette was able to resume part time work, really enjoying the stimulation and challenges of her hospital career. When twins, Sara and Paul arrived, the families were greatly excited, both because it had been a long time since a boy was born into the family, and twins were an entirely new experience! As the twins developed, it became obvious that Paul was seriously delayed and required a lot more attention than Sara, who was always eagerly walking and talking. Visits to many doctors followed, resulting in Paul being diagnosed as 'delayed'. He required physiotherapy to keep his limbs subtle, occupational therapy to increase his skills and speech therapy to encourage and stimulate speech. In their 40's, the parents decided to move their family to Sydney, where they believed services for Paul would be plentiful and he could attend a special school. This emotional wrench meant leaving behind their family networks and support. Realising that Paul was not just 'delayed', but severely disabled requiring constant supervision and care, Jeanette gave up all thoughts of continuing her career. Frank helped where he could, but he was now Principal of a large school, requiring that he work long hours. While Sara progressed through high school and began university, Paul remained home every day with Jeanette. He developed physically into manhood, and even though Jeanette loved him dearly, his behaviour was challenging and determined. While Jeanette often yearned for the freedom experienced by her friends, playing social sport and pursuing individual interests, her daily routine involved toileting, bathing, shaving and feeding her difficult to manage son. She and Frank drifted apart, and Frank maintained a circle of sporting and social friends and activities. When he died of a heart attack, Jeanette faced the reality of what her life had become. Her health deteriorated and she was forced to seek help. Wesley Mission's Post School Options program became an option for Jeanette, when funding became available to place Paul in their care for three days each week. Paul attends a program which offers stimulation, therapy services, swimming and a chance to mix with his peers as part of the community. A psychologist and speech pathologist work with staff to give Paul a means of communication. His challenging behaviour has decreased. Jeanette now works part time. Her relationship with Paul has greatly improved, and they enjoy their time together. They have both been given the freedom to make choices with their own lives.
…the faces of loss and loneliness
Old age should not be lonely. The breakdown of the extended family is as much a reality in Australia today as the breakdown of the nuclear family. Today's older generation are the ones who looked after their elderly relatives, and often had three or four generations living under their roof. Today, thousands of them are isolated and lonely, often waiting for telephone calls which do not come, or a rare visit from their children. Widowed and divorced men, having previously relied on their wives to make social contacts, are more likely to experience loneliness than women. Because they are less likely to be capable of caring and cooking for themselves, their health often suffers. After a long marriage or relationship, it is difficult to learn to live alone, and research indicates that it is much harder for men than for women. The global and national statistics, highlighting the longer life span of women, fail to adequately portray the implications in daily life. The number of women in aged care facilities far exceeds the number of men; with the consequence that men are often adrift and confused, feeling like strangers. Women's natural ability to talk about their situations exposes them to a network of family, friends, children and siblings, often over a shared activity or the telephone. For most men, their only ever confidante was their wife, who may also have been their best friend. They are more reluctant to share on an emotional level with friends or acquaintances.
"In 1997, 32% of older people [20.3% of males and 40.4% of females] aged 65 years and over lived alone. During their waking hours, these people spent an average of 79% of their time alone (12 hours and 26 minutes per day)." This is an increase of 1.9% for men and 1.1% for women since 1992.34
RECOMMENDATIONS
Wesley Mental Health Services: provides a Psychogeriatric service, through clinics conducted in a number of our aged care facilities. A major advantage of this approach is that residents are treated in their own environment and aren't required to navigate the often confusing difficulties of keeping appointments at doctor's rooms. In addition, Wesley Mental Health Services provides educational opportunities for staff working in the aged care facilities. The increased level of knowledge then translates into better care being delivered to the residents. The lives of many residents have been substantially enhanced through the ability of Wesley Mission to provide excellent health care in their own environment. (See page 48 of this report for contact details.) Wesley Mission's LifeForce Suicide Prevention Program: teaches members of the community how to detect warning signs in potential suicide victims. It also gives potential victims somewhere to turn. LifeForce identifies and trains key community leaders on how to handle someone considering suicide. We then make sure everyone knows who these community leaders are. When someone feels their options are running out, they know who to turn to for advice and help. LifeForce also helps families who have had a loved one commit suicide to deal with their loss and makes sure one person's suicide does not lead to another. Lifeforce has trained over 1,000 people to recognise the signs of suicide at presentations in 30 communities across NSW, Victoria, Queensland and Tasmania. (See page 48 of this report for contact details.) Wesley Mission's Lifeline: is a telephone counselling service providing 24 hour care, from those who are in crisis to those who simply need to hear a friendly voice. The demand for telephone counsellors is increasing, and the shortage of trained counsellors makes it difficult to respond to all calls. During 1997-98, at Sydney Lifeline, 200 volunteer counsellors took 19,000 counselling calls and gave 14,600 counselling hours. Lifeline also offers face-to-face counselling for clients who are ready to work on their issues through counselling but are unable to afford commercial counselling services. (See page 48 of this report for contact details.) Wesley Mission's Creditline: In recent years there has been a significant rise in gambling problems amongst the older population. Clubs and casinos have targeted the 60+ age group by offering incentives such as free buses, cheap meals, free morning and afternoon tea and cash to play the 'pokies'. Some pensioner groups, retirement villages and even nursing homes see a day at the club or casino as a cheap and exciting excursion for their members or residents. In addition, increasing numbers of older people are turning to the clubs for companionship, or an illusion of companionship. (See page 48 of this report for contact details.) Some older people who are lonely, often having recently lost their partner, join the local club for somewhere to go. They wander into an atmosphere where they are surrounded by people playing the poker machines. The noise, colour and music draws them in. They put their membership card into the slot on the poker machine and this personalises the machine for them. When their poker machine welcomes them with "Good morning …., good to see you!", the player feels good about being there. The membership care also allows the club to track all the member's transactions on the machines. It tells the club how often the member plays, how long since they have been there, how much the member puts into the machine and how much the machine has paid out. If the member has not been around for a few weeks, a club official will wander around and say, "We've missed you. It's great to see you again. Come and have a cup of coffee with me - on the house!" The player may loose all their money on the poker machine, but they feel warm and fuzzy doing it! A percentage of these older players will become addicted. Usually they are on a fixed income and when that is gone they have to look for other ways of getting cash to gamble. They borrow from family and friends. They sell or pawn some of their possessions. Some of them resort to social security fraud and robbery. When this is detected, they face prosecution and jail. Morna is a 69 year old woman who lived a sad life. Her husband was very violent but she stayed with him for the sake of the children, shielding the children from her husband's violence and other anti social behaviour. After her children had grown up she left her husband but then her children blamed her for the breakup, and would have nothing to do with her. She had no contact with them and had not even seen her grandchildren. She turned to gambling at the local club to ease the pain and loneliness. The gambling habit grew and eventually she stole to fund it. When she was caught she had nothing to show for her gambling. She lived in a run down boarding house and had no assets. All her money and the $74,000 she stole had been lost on gambling. She was sentenced to 18 months in prison. Wesley Mission has supported Morna at Emu Plains prison while our legal services defended her in the court case and lost - we are mounting an appeal. A 69 year old woman does not deserve to spend her last years in prison. This story as yet is open ended. …the faces of volunteering
Reasons given by older persons for volunteering include, "to help others or the community; to do something worthwhile; personal satisfaction; personal or family involvement; social contact; and to gain new skills or work experience."35 Older persons have also contributed a great deal more voluntary work hours over their life times than younger people. A study on retirement intentions revealed other reasons for volunteering as being "the need to keep active in retirement" as well as "to maintain social contact" and "to avoid social isolation".36 This study also found that 61% of women and 44% of men intended to volunteer their services in retirement. Benefits to retiree volunteers, identified in a recent study, include "a sense of purpose and sustained contact with community members, that can help reduce or eliminate depression and increase self esteem and energy levels".37 Volunteers are ageing! The baby boomers and their children (Generation X) unfortunately do not feel the same need to support community initiatives or non-government organisations, as previous generations. Wesley Dalmar: Wesley Dalmar's philosophy of focusing on preventative approaches to the development of family is forging further links into local communities, by offering older persons an opportunity to be actively involved with younger families experiencing difficulty. Through the "Reaching Out" program, older persons can share their wealth of experience through a mentoring relationship, offering friendship and support to isolated families, especially young parents. This innovative program builds on our well known experience that older persons love to help young people and families, but often don't know how. Evidence within the services Dalmar currently offers, and in the broader community, demonstrates a real gap between the needs of families and the capacity of community service providers to meet those needs. Unfortunately, Beth's experience is not an isolated example. Beth is a young parent with five children. She has no other family support, and became known to the Department of Community Services, when her children were referred because it was suspected that they were being abused. Beth had no-one to go to for help. She really could have done with a parent figure in her life who could have provided support during this difficult period in her life. She came to Wesley Dalmar's counselling service, seeking to learn positive and effective parenting skills, and worked hard to deal with the tensions and problems in her life. Sadly, Beth's children were removed from her. If she had previously received support and assistance from someone who cared enough to encourage her to believe in herself and her ability to cope, this situation may not have happened. The "Reaching Out" program creates links which are mutually beneficial to both isolated, lonely older persons, and parents of young families who need to develop more positive ways of relating to their children's emotional, physical and social needs. Mentors volunteer about 2 hours per week, and can meet the parent in a social setting such as a local coffee shop, a park, or in their own homes. Older persons who still wish to be active in their community, can thus contribute the skills and experience in a very meaningful way. Back in 1949, when three friends agreed to do some voluntary work for the Lottie Stewart Hospital, they never dreamed they would still be serving refreshments at the hospital fete 50 years later. In between fetes, Daphne (now 86), Marion (now 82) and Gwen (now 87), held fundraising events and gave up their weekends to take the refreshment trolley around the wards. "That was the best part", Marion said with a smile. "We really got to know a lot of the patients and, because most of them were long term, many friendships were formed with both them and their families." The trio's popular trolley round ceased in 1997, when their highly regarded personal service was replaced with automatic vending machines. In May this year, just before their 50th fete, the three women were given appropriate recognition for their services at a celebration dinner. When Daphne was asked if she is ever bored, she replied: "Never! I've just come home from a function, I have my friends and my family and I still have my husband with me. A supportive family is a wonderful help and I'm very fortunate to have them", she said. Daphne said that staying in touch with people is vital. "I really miss the trolley days but I go to the hospital every Thursday when the diversional therapist is conducting craft classes. I love helping the patients' with their work and talking to them". Without hesitation, Daphne encourages anyone who is lonely to do voluntary work. She has proved how beneficial it is to both the helper and the one who is helped. The Volunteer Co-ordinator at Lottie Stewart Hospital said they could not do without their volunteers. "They are enthusiastic and dedicated and will do anything. No matter what their age, they still have an important place in the community. We need each other." Introducing people to the joys of classical music is all part of Norma's work as a volunteer School for Seniors tutor. Each Wednesday morning, Norma takes her peers on a journey through the sounds and senses of Mozart, Beethoven, Handel and others. It is all part of the School for Seniors agenda of enabling people to remain active later in their life. In other classes run by the school, fellow volunteers are providing senior citizens with tuition or guidance in, among other things, arts, crafts, drama and languages. Ageing takes courage! Old age is not for the faint hearted, 87 year old author Mary Morrison writes in her new book "Let Evening Come". A recent report reveals a deep loneliness among older Australians. On average, Australians over 65 years spend 12 hours alone each day. This means an increase in social isolation with the risk of brooking, depression and suicide. Many people, both young and old, have discovered that becoming a volunteer is a remedy for loneliness. In Sydney, the least likely city to find volunteers in Australia, Wesley Mission has thrived and grown with their assistance. If it takes a special kind of person to sit and listen to another's problems, then Henry is a rare breed indeed. Over the years, he has been there for anonymous callers to the Mission's Lifeline service and, most recently, begun training others in how to respond to those in crisis or struggling with addictions and the thought of suicide. During all this time as a Lifeline volunteer, Henry knows that even though the nature of problems people face has changed dramatically, they still just want someone to listen to them. He's doing his best to make sure that need is met. Volunteers are an important part of the work of Wesley Mission. Due to changes in the work-force, we have seen an increase in the number of short-term volunteers. There is also greater awareness of social responsibility amongst students with many schools running community outreach programs through which they assist the Mission. Despite the increase in short-term volunteers this year, many long-serving volunteers of the Mission have reached their 20th year of service. Their consistent example of care for others set the standard for all Mission volunteers. During 1998-99, Wesley Mission volunteers contributed 165,775 hours of work. This is equivalent to 83 full-time positions and salaries of $2,265,144. (See page 48 of this report for contact details.) Learning contributes to individual and social development in many ways, for people of all ages. Research shows that lifelong learning encourages a well-lived later life. Education develops and supports creativity, independence and self-determination, and is especially important for older people as it strengthens the relationship between learning, mental and physical health, and social well-being. Wesley School for Seniors provides a unique opportunity for people aged 50 years and over, to meet and continue their learning through informal education, with courses for people from many nations, levels of society and a wide range of intellectual capabilities, who want to continue "to live and learn".
Wesley School for Seniors is able to provide courses for older people with low enrollment fees. The 1999 enrollment fee is $17 per school term of 9 weeks, and students can attend as many courses as they wish. Some courses involve a small additional fee. Through this program, many older people have the opportunity to participate in areas that interest them, in a diverse range of topics including languages, music, history, line-dancing, tap dancing, card games, computers and many more, while they enjoy the fellowship and experiences of people from their fifties to their eighties! Some participants at Wesley Mission's School for Seniors said:
RECOMMENDATIONS
Flo Whittemore (her real name, used with permission) has been involved as both a student and a tutor at Wesley School for Seniors, for more than eighteen years. She enjoys languages, Scottish Country Dancing and looking after her three cats. In 1985 she started tutoring a German class, and for many years now, has also taught Japanese. We asked Flo what School for Seniors involvement means in her life, and she said: "Mental stimulation. It has kept me alert and alive! It addresses a natural quest for knowledge and meaning in life. Many of the classes deal with such themes. School for Seniors broadens one's outlook. I meet people I would not normally come into contact with, in fact hundreds of interesting people willing to share their interest and experiences. The friendly community of the School for Seniors has always been a feature. Everyone is respected, whatever their background, and everyone's opinion is respected. The School has stopped many people, including me, from being lonely. This is not only because of the classes, but also because of all the other activities the School has created - social events, informal gatherings and many others. In the School, experience is valued, and it has been an outlet for the expression of knowledge and experience acquired throughout life. The School has bought rhythm to my life. Getting up to be at class at 10.00am twice a week has given me a sense of purpose and commitment. The School runs with a minimum of rules, so I have been able to learn without stress. When people retire, they shouldn't think negative thoughts. They should look forward to joining the School for Seniors."
RECOMMENDATIONS
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