Leopold seniors forum highlights aging population challenges

IN 20 years’ time there will be 40,000 Australians living beyond 100 years – at the moment, there are 6,900.

During a seniors forum at Leopold Sportsmans Club last week, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Ken Wyatt, along with Corangamite federal member Sarah Henderson, addressed some issues facing the country’s ageing population.

“We think back to when you were children, because I’m in your age category, we used to see people pass away in their 60s and 70s, but now we are seeing that extended,” Mr Wyatt said.

“Aged care used to be around 60 years old; for men, 82 is now the average for going into residential care, for women it’s 84.

“By the end of the decade we think it will be 90.

“And it will be more complex health problems when they move into residential care.”

Mr Wyatt said people were living longer due to advancements in medications, treatments and prosthetics.

“We are also entering an era in Australia where stem cell research is starting to become exciting because there are trials where they are already using an individual’s own stem cells to repair cartledge in a knee.

“Ultimately they will be able to replace organs in our body as they age.

“The other interesting thing is that they are looking at turning off ageing at some point – we will be able to choose a period where we want to stay that age. It sounds farfetched but scientific evidence is showing that.”

Mr Wyatt said if these scientific advances made treatment available for the population, it would be a challenge for every government in the future.

“It’s also going to be a social challenge; remember the person you married when you were 20? You could live to 200 with them, so it will change the dynamic and test your commitment to love and endure a relationship for a long time.”

Mr Wyatt welcomed the opportunity to attend and address the forum in Leopold, and said it was a great way to meet local people and listen to their stories and ideas for the future of quality, worldclass aged care in Australia.