11-Oct 2003 Housing futures in an ageing Australia

Saturday 11 October 2003

Older Australians overwhelmingly wish to stay living in their own homes and in their community for as long as possible. How we will live and be cared for as we become older is an issue that touches all Australians and is the topic of a conference to be held in Melbourne next week.

Housing Futures in an Ageing Australia, convened by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) and The Myer Foundation as part of its 2020 Vision Project, will address issues such as:

  • How can we enable older Australians to live where and how they want and also to receive the care that they are likely to need as they age?
  • In a rapidly greying Australia, how will we accommodate and/or support the increasing numbers of older people requiring more intensive levels of care?
  • What will become of those over 65 who are not homeowners and who have to compete with younger, more financially secure people for a diminishing supply of affordable rental properties?
  • How can we equitably resolve the issue of funding residential care for those who may need it?

With people aged over 75 projected to reach close to 1.7 million by 2021, every Australian family will face the challenge of considering the best housing, care and support options for their ageing relatives.

In recent years there has been little change in housing patterns for older people, but significant changes in Australia's ageing population. The conference keynote speaker, consultant gerontologist Dr Anna Howe, asks the question: "Do we want more of the same policies and programmes, or something different? "

Other speakers look at research findings and consider some radical policy alternatives.

The Acting Executive Director of AHURI, Dr Ian Winter, said the conference was an opportunity to help shape the future in aged care and housing.

"Where and how we live is fundamental to our wellbeing. As we age our housing needs change but we still want to live in or close to our own neighbourhoods and communities. How we do that and importantly, how we finance that are issues we need to consider now," he said.

WHAT: Housing Futures in an Ageing Australia
WHERE: Level 5, Melbourne Exhibition Centre 2 Clarendon Street, South Melbourne
WHEN: Monday November 10, 2003 9 am to 5 pm
MEDIA CONTACT: Jackie Allender

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