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Old age in a new age By Erle Levey PART ONE OF A THREE-PART FEATURE Australia’s population is ageing .. fast. And it affects us all. This century we will see the possibility of six generations living together at the same time. Medical science and healthy, active lifestyles will play a big part in people living longer. Reaching 100 years of age will no longer be extraordinary. By 2030 there will be more of us aged 65 and over than 14 years and under. That will impact how we live, where we live and the way we fit in the community. As baby boomers and Generation X enter older adulthood, our expectations of how we are going to live in a community will change. The Sunshine Coast Business Council’s Ageing in Place conference explored ageing trends and solutions that are providing people with greater choice about how they can approach and enjoy their older life. The conference was held at the University of the Sunshine Coast (USC), which plays a major role in training nurses and allied health care professionals for the future. Guest speakers included Urbis director Kate Meyrick, University of Queensland Professor Laurie Buys, and USC vice chancellor and president, Professor Helen Bartlett. Fittingly, Kate Meyrick was joined on stage by her mother Jan Meyrick who had a career teaching human development to young students going to work in the care field. Jan was recognised for her work in aged care during her retirement with an award to enable a personal world study tour to see what facilities were available. Business council chair Sandy Zubrinich said people were not only living longer, their expectations of how they enjoyed their retirement years were changing. “Whether they choose to stay in their own homes longer or are attracted to retirement living or similar environments, what is important is having a choice.
“And while there are pressures on service providers, medical services and the government, now is the time to rise above the current debate, question the fundamentals and find new ways to meet the challenges of ageing and keep people longer in place, in community, in health, in prosperity and importantly - in life.’’ Old Age In The New Age was the focus of Kate and Jan Meyrick’s presentation. This was a first for mother and daughter to be presenting on the same stage although they have been a part of each other’s lives for 55 years. “She felt invisible yet she has such insight,’’ Kate said of her mother. “She is talking from experience. “When talking about care in our own homes, and in retirement in our community, it’s a matter of challenging our perceptions ... not just society’s perceptions but our perceptions of ourselves, as older Australians. “The important things is age does really matter. It’s such a binary thing you’re either young or you’re old - but some are born old and others die young at heart. “Ultimately we are all people. “The most important thing about designing a home, an experience, a neighbourhood or a city is we are designing for people. “By 2060 there will be more than eight million aged people in Australia, so you really do need to get to know us. “We need to consider how we move around, given we will not be car-driven. “We will need lots more public transport and walkable solutions to make sure older people are able to remain active in their own community. “They will be staying in their own homes longer, so it is very important to understand what types of homes they want to live in and recognise there won’t be a one size fits all solution. “Some will need a bit more care. Some will like to remain independent, but perhaps need a smaller home. “How we accommodate these needs, ultimately where we live and the kind of communities we live in are human centred ... and if we don’t understand that we cannot design for them. “If we are designing things older people don’t like there’s a really easy an-
swer, they will vote with their feet and won’t use it. “As baby boomers and Gen X moving into retirement, we are not great at planning for it as we have put it off as long as possible. “What we bring into retirement is a different way of life. “Our aspirations for the next 35 years will be different from those of the previous generation. “We are never too old to learn.’’ With this century likely to see six generations living at the same time instead of the four of the last century, the whole 100-year city needs to be friendly, Kate Meyrick said. “When planning and designing cities and neighbourhoods for six generations to live in, we need to think differently. “Think about how to activate the needs of those who will be living in it. “This is not an option, not a passing phase. “It is coming like the train down the line. It’s something we need to think about as they will be our cities we will grow old in.’’ Jan Meyrick was horrified by many of the aged care situations she encountered in her career and knew it was not the lifestyle she wanted when reaching that age. So she set out to see what plans that could be made. One of the best models was in Deventer, Netherlands, which encouraged residents to use the skills you have or lose them. It showed that happiness comes before care - that it was important to move away from medical and to an enabling model. It was a different way of looking at aged care ... ordinary, not glamorous,’’ Jan Meyrick said. “I thought a couple of hours and I would be out but there. “But I was there 7.5 hours. It was the most fantastic place. “It had autonomy, joyful living, and the township was involved.’’ University students who were hard up for accommodation, were invited to live with the aged community and become neighbours. They were given free accommodation as long as they gave 30 hours a
month to caring - not hands-on care, apart from making a meal a week. “They were brave and started with one student, now they have six living permanently. “They could watch football together, cook with them, have parties. “The footballers went in to use their gym, every person was respected. “No-one was called darling, ducky or love … they all use their names. “They have dignity, they have respect … they have joy. “There are coffee mornings and wine evenings when the community come in - a homework club for the young. “Refugees can come in. Respite care is offered. “It’s a centre for the community. “Less physical support and more social engagement … it was the most fantastic experience, all because they dared to be different.’’ Other case studies Jan Meyrick saw included Switzerland, where a group of women looked at what they want in older life. They bought an old embroidery factory and converted it into 17 rooms for independent living. You buy a space but there are outdoor and communal areas. So they are living alone, but together. In line with Brisbane being announced the host city for the 2032 Olympic Games, Kate Meyrick said it would be fantastic to also say it was an age-friendly community. It would be possible through eight goals: Lives in a safe and pleasant environment; Has access to range of affordable, user-friendly transport services; Has housing options that are affordable, accessible and close to transport and community services; Is supported to be active in their community; Is being inclusive and promote diversity; Participates in employment, training, lifelong learning, volunteering and informing government policies; Stays informed and connected with communities, families and friends; Supported to stay healthy, active and independent.
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