Page 4076 - Week 15 - Thursday, 17 December 1992
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It is widely acknowledged, though not always accepted, that how and where an older person lives, in terms of security, safety, services and support, has a massive impact on their general health and attitude to life. An older person living in a secure, familiar environment can have a far more positive attitude than a person facing insecurity, threat or unfriendly surroundings. The type of accommodation provided for or offered to the elderly can make an enormous difference to their quality of life and health. Also, as the definition of the elderly actually spans 30 years or more, we are dealing with a tremendously diverse range of needs, expectations and abilities in terms of care and lifestyle.
The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Long Term Strategies recently released a report which said:
Because chronological age is not a reliable guide to functional capacity, the concept of biological age should be considered. This refers to what a person can do, not the number of years to which he or she can lay claim. In the sociological literature the aged are now commonly, if elegantly, divided into three groups. (1) the young old, ranging from 65-74 years; (2) the middle old, ranging from 75-80 years and (3) the old old, over 80 years.
Our committee decided that it was important to include the ages between 55 and 65 in our inquiry as this is a common retirement age range in Australia.
Madam Speaker, at this point I would like to emphasise the recommendations in the report concerning preventative health care. Given good, efficient support services and early intervention as people progressively age, and given appropriate programs run to promote good health, we can actively maintain and improve the health and well-being of the elderly and restrict the need for high cost intensive care accommodation in their later years. The committee has noted that, while the frail aged need the most support and care services, the younger and more active aged also need to be encouraged and supported as well. This should be in the form of enhancing their well-being so that they can enjoy an active quality life with minimal support for as long as possible. This will go towards ensuring that they do not necessarily become emotionally or physically dependent on so-called institutional care.
Madam Speaker, there is a widely held view that the aged will become an intolerable burden to Australian society in the coming years as Australia's aged population becomes proportionally larger. This is not necessarily so, and I refer members to chapter 10 in the report where we deal at more length with this ageing burden myth. There is little doubt, however, Madam Speaker, that these perceived costs will markedly decrease if the active and healthy elderly members of our society are supported and encouraged. The committee has therefore recommended that the Government give high priority to preventative health measures and active ageing policies. We have also examined the area of home and community care services - HACC services - and have made recommendations in an attempt to improve and rationalise spending in this important area of support service.
One of the major problems in aged accommodation that was constantly referred to the members of the committee was the gap in the provision of private market accommodation for the asset rich but cash poor home owner. Madam Speaker, the plight of the modest home owner who wishes to trade in the family home for
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