Baby Boomers Want Alternatives to a Future in Nursing Home-Australia

By KS, thematuremarket.com

August 27, 2008

Australia

A majority of Australians over 50 have no intention of moving into a nursing home when they get frail, and expect governments to support the development of alternative forms of aged care and accommodation, a Galaxy Poll has found.
The lack of enthusiasm for traditional aged care homes has resulted in most baby boomers putting off a decision on their futures until they can no longer live at home, shows research conducted for The Benevolent Society. 

Of the 1,000 people aged over 50 polled across NSW, as many as 75 per cent said they would only move into a nursing home if they had no other choice.
“The research clearly demonstrates that older Australians are looking for something other than traditional establishments to provide the accommodation and care they need in later life,” said Richard Spencer, the Chief Executive of the Society.

“The figures back-up other expert findings on attitudes to future aged care and accommodation among baby boomers, especially in terms of the strong preference for maintaining independence and remaining in close proximity to family and friends.

“These preferences are solid and widespread and send a strong message to governments and to the aged care, retirement and housing industries about what older Australians will be demanding over the next 10 to 15 years. 

“They place great store in the need for living independently as long as possible, in having easy access to health care services, and in staying in their neighbourhood of choice and being close to loved ones,” Mr Spencer said.
Australia’s older population is growing at an unprecedented rate. In the next 12 years alone the proportion of the population aged above 65 years will increase from 14 to 18 per cent. 

In 2006, there were 2.7 million Australians over the age of 65; some 322,000 were over 85. During the next 25 years, it is this latter group – the group most likely to need care and support - that will increase most rapidly, as the baby boomer generation enters late old age.

Federal, State and Territory recurrent expenditure on aged care services is now in excess of $8.6 billion a year (2005-06 figures, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare). Of this, expenditure on nursing homes and hostels costs government around $5.6 billion a year and rising.

The Galaxy research showed there was general agreement among the over-50s that the government must shoulder the burden of increased costs for care, support and accommodation for the nation’s ageing population.

Overall, 78 per cent believe that the government must start to budget now for the blow-out in costs that is expected to occur in the next 10-15 years. 
The preference for the government to continue to meet the costs of care, support and accommodation of elderly Australians was observed across all demographic groups.

Other key findings of the polling included:
• City residents are the most negatively disposed to nursing homes, while those in regional and rural areas are the most positive; 
• Up to 61 per cent of people over 50 believe that they only need to think seriously about aged care accommodation when the family home ceases to become an option; 
• Those aged 50-59 years are the most negatively disposed to nursing homes, and those over 70 years the most positive.; 
• People who have worked in a nursing home are the most negatively disposed to them; 
• 82 per cent of over 50s would prefer a new style of accommodation and care for older people. 

The Benevolent Society is preparing to spend $64 million on an innovative accommodation and care project in Waverley that is based on a successful European model. It is hoping that the model will be widely replicated in order to meet the significant demands from baby boomers for alternative aged care arrangements. 

The Benevolent Society has lodged a Development Application for the scheme, which guarantees 40 per cent of the proposed apartments will be set aside as affordable housing for pensioners and low income individuals and couples. The scheme will provide support and services for older people that will enable them to continue living independently.

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