Entering the era of “ageing”

Could it be the curse of the 65-year-olds? The latest research by Australia’s leading future forecaster, Bernard Salt shows that in 200, 40,000 Australians turned 65. By 2015, this number has swelled to 120,000, a 200 per cent increase that is still increasing every year.

For Mr Salt from KPMG, the conclusion is straightforward: “We are embarking on an era of ageing,” he says. Our country has never had so many people at one time who are going past the traditional retirement age – and heading towards ‘old age’.

So will this be a burden on our already-struggling economy? The influential futurist says not, in the short term at least.

In good news for employment, health care jobs, especially in aged care, will be the fastest growing sector in Australia. With the Baby boomer generation also a lot less likely to retire these days, there will be 320,000 more people over 65 in the workforce than in 2000.

This is great for our economy, with more taxes being paid and less people drawing on the Age Pension to support them financially.

However, Mr Salt also had another graph that demonstrated the effect in 15 years from now when all these 65-year-olds are turning 85 and the consequences are huge.

Called “The real pressure on ageing”, it reveals that many of those 85 plus people will stand a good chance of living to 100, while the 30-year-olds of today’s Generation Y will be hitting 45 and likely paying taxes to support older Australians for 20 years until they reach 65 themselves.

Is this the true curse of the 65-year-olds?

Popular Articles

View All Articles
Article Img
Your sense of balance later in life can be crucial – how to improve yours

A fall at a later stage in life can be scary, and can even cause some serious damage. A sense of balance is not something we’re all equipped with, so as you age, falls can be a real sense of anxiety. However, there are lots of things you can do to prevent falling by improving your balance.

Article Img
Retirement village family open their first land lease community

Well-known retirement village family open their first land lease community in Victoria The Gannon family, led by Tom and Michael Gannon, have unveiled 226 homes at the Lucas Lifestyle Estate in Ballarat.

Article Img
73% of Australians willing to sacrifice inheritance for aged care

Nearly three-quarters of all Australians are willing to sacrifice their own inheritance so their parents and grandparents can enjoy the retirement they deserve, according to a new report by B2B aged care service CompliSpace.

Article Img
Volunteers are the backbone of the aged care sector, and more are needed

Tens of thousands of people, of all ages, such as 90-year-old Lily Burns and 20-year-old Charlise Hannagan, volunteer in aged care homes. The Change Makers is the theme for this year’s National Volunteer Week, 15 to 21st May, which celebrates the vital work of volunteers.

A special thanks to our contributors

Icons
Jill Donaldson

Physiotherapist

Jill has been practicing as a clinical physiotherapist for 30 years. For the last 13 years she has worked solely in the Aged Care sector in more than 50 metropolitan and regional facilities. Jill has also toured care facilities in the US and Africa and is a passionate advocate for both the residents in aged care and the staff who care for them. She researches and writes for DCM Media.

Icons
Chris Baynes

DCM Media, agedcare101

Chris has been a journalist and publisher in the retirement village and aged care sectors for 11 years. He has visited over 250 retirement villages and 50 aged care facilities both within Australia and internationally. Chris is a regular speaker at industry conferences plus is a frequent radio commentator.

Icons
Annie Donaldson

Nurse and Carer

Annie has a long career in both nursing and the media. She has planned and co-ordinated the medical support from both international TV productions and major stadium events. In recent years she has been a primary family carer plus involved in structured carer support.