Life expectancy among older Australians has continued to
increase. Australian men and women at 65 years of age can expect,
on average, to live for another 16 and 20 years respectively-an
increase of 3.5 years for men and 4 years for women over the last
30 years. These facts and more can be found in a joint Australian
Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) and Commonwealth Department
of Health and Aged Care publication Older Australians at a
Glance released today as part of the International Year of
Older Persons. The report also shows that many older Australians
are making a valuable contribution to the Australian Community. Of
all voluntary work done, 33% were contributions from people aged 55
and over. On retirement, 61% of women and 44% of men indicated that
they planned to do voluntary work.
Head of the AIHW's Aged Care Unit, Dr Diane Gibson, said that
most older Australians enjoy active lifestyles and reasonably good
health status.
'The majority of older Australians rate their health as either
good, very good or excellent,' Dr Gibson said. 'Contrary to general
public perceptions only 6% of older Australians live in residential
aged care facilities, with the vast majority living at home.'
Older Australians at a Glance includes information on:
population ageing, health and wellbeing of older Australians, their
contribution in providing care to the community, and their use of
health and aged care services. It also takes into account
retirement, income and housing, and many other aspects of life
among older Australians, and examines government responses to their
needs.
24 December 1999
Further information: Dr Diane Gibson, ph. 02
6244 1190, or Dr Ching Choi, ph. 02 6244 1197.
For media copies of the report: Publications Officer, ph.
02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications
Catalogue for details.