Abstract:

While Australian population aging is moderate by Western country standards, the proportion of the population age 65+ may quadruple by 2050. Three concerns about this situation are addressed: (1) the long-term trend to earlier retirement, with nearly universal dependency on publicly funded age pensions vs savings & superannuation; (2) the rising costs for care of musculoskeletal degeneration, cancers, mental illness, & digestive diseases; & (3) severe handicap rates among the elderly, as reported in national surveys. While 66+% of the remaining years of life at age 65 are currently spent free of handicap, this situation will worsen. At present, aged care services have shifted in focus from intensive options such as nursing homes to less intensive hostel care & home & community care. Nonetheless, long-term care financing is one of the most urgent issues in Australian aged care policy.