AARP Global Network: Australia faces crossroads for aged care.
Aging baby boomers in Australia are expected to put a strain on the country's current infrastructure, and the government is considering a number of different polices to strategically plan for these older adults, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.
The investment management company, Aviiid Third-age Living, claims that the aged care sector is in dire need of an overhaul.
"The supply and demand fundamentals look quite good, however, there are issues that continue to reverberate throughout the industry," Aviiid Third-age Living managing director Scott Marinchek told the Australian Associated Press.
He added that there is an even divide between for-profit and non-profit organizations who are making products and services for aging baby boomers, but none of them are ready to meet the growing demand of the older population.
One of the major areas where Marinchek sees a lack of supply is the aging-in-place sector, which is very popular among baby boomers who plan to live independently and age outside of assisted living facilities.
He noted that, while there is one program underway to build senior housing options - the Apartments for Life Project - there are very few other attempts to meet these needs. Marinchek claimed that this particular field is ripe for growth and could benefit from more financial support.
Information and technology specialists are also developing products and services for baby boomers, AgedCareInsite.com states.
A recent report, Smart Technology for Healthy Longevity 2010, conducted by the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, has emphasized the need for technology that allows older adults to live independently.
"This report will hopefully add to the impetus here in Australia. Interest in using technology to support service delivery and to support older people is growing but we still have some distance to go," Greg Mundy, of Aged and Community Services Australia, told the news provider.
Another problem that Australia will face as the baby boomer generation ages is found in the public transportation industry, which will grow rapidly as older adults become less able to drive, AustralianAgeingAgenda.com reports.
The National Roads and Motorists' Association (NRMA) recently released a survey which found that two-thirds of people who are age 60 to 70 haven't planned for any alternative options to driving and also revealed that some of the chief reasons that older Australians avoid public transportation is a fear of crowds and security breaches, as well as falling.
"It's not a problem in the early years of retirement when people are active and independent but as they get older and more frail, it will become a real issue," NRMA president Wendy Machin told the news provider.
The association is calling for changes that can accommodate the needs of the older population, such as longer walking times at crosswalks and waiting times at buses and trains.
New South Wales transport minister John Robertson informed the news provider that the country is taking some steps toward meeting this problem, as the state government has dedicated $50 million this year to improve accessibility in train stations.
Many countries are attempting to launch initiatives that will make cities more accessible and, this summer, the World Health Organization created a global network of age-friendly cities in order to emphasize accessibility. The program focuses on changing the urban infrastructure of major metropolitan areas around the world.
The organization's research has revealed that priorities for baby boomers who are living in cities include public transit, outdoor spaces, smart housing, community and health facilities.
New York City was the first to join the initiative, but the French government, Irish Ageing Well Network and the Slovenian Network have also agreed to launch programs to promote age-friendly cities.
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