This week we are in Brisbane for the annual Retirement Living Summit, hosted by the Retirement Living Council, an event that gathers thought-provoking speakers and leading experts to present the latest best practices and innovations across the sector.
Following the global trend, Australia’s population is ageing. In 2020 people aged 65 years and older comprised of 16% of the total Australian population, with this number expected to increase to 21% and 23% by 2026. This trend of ageing also has an impact on the nation’s social, political and economic landscape, the demand for healthcare, social services, and aged care increases, with further pressure also placed on the housing market.
With Australia’s housing shortage, there is a growing demand for age-friendly communities giving retirement communities an opportunity to enhance the well-being of older Australians, with an additional opportunity for supporting everyone in reaching for healthier, happier futures. This request is also putting pressure on the developers as operator models and consumer requirements change, leaving the retirement living sector to evolve and to ensure that expectations are exceeded across all levels.
In last month’s Positive Ageing Summit, I took part in the retirement living panel, together with Daniel Gannon, Executive Director – Retirement Living Council and David Moran, Chief Executive Officer – Southern Cross Care. In an interview for Australian Ageing Agenda, Daniel Gannon commented in the opportunities that retirement living sectors offer when responding to the issues that relate to the ageing society.
“Retirement villages are uniquely positioned to transform into a one-stop shop on the continuum of care so older Australians can keep ageing in place and ageing well” he stated. “By providing easier access to services – like allied health, physical rehabilitation and restorative care – retirement villages can improve health and independence for residents through preventative care.”
“Without a doubt, this will become a necessity for all retirement villages because positive ageing strategies must be the norm, not the exception.”
In a separate interview David Moran, the CEO of Southern Cross care Inc. (SA, NT, Vic) commented on the importance of active ageing, towards better health and wellbeing. “Australia – including aged care providers – needs to get serious about health literacy”, states David. “As we continue through a period of aged care reform there are many challenges facing our sector, but by sharing practical examples of health promotion, allied health and reablement in action we can take positive steps towards addressing some of these challenges.”
Both leaders are big supporters of the inclusion of clear health literacy, and appropriate allied health support, a topic that was widely discussed at the recent Positive Ageing Summit, as well as in many of our earlier blogs, such as research on healthspan, and success in retirement living.
In our panel the moderator asked what us our vision forte future of retirement living. For me the answer was clear – we must educate everyone on the importance of exercise and healthy living in gaining and keeping our best health, and extending our healthy years, healthspan, that will allow us to live us the life we wish.
The purpose of the National Retirement Living Summit is to share global and national insights, and showcase innovative, consumer-driven services and the operators who run them, also including health and well-being for residents. From operators to service providers, allied-health firms to policy-makers, the National Retirement Living Summit will share the best knowledge to allto maximise the outcomes in all areas of retirement living.
If you are around, come and see us at booth 7 to discuss the benefits of exercise in ageing well.
Best wishes,
Dr Tuire Karaharju-Huisman
Physiotherapist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist (ESSAM), PhD (Biomechanics)
Research Lead, Area Account Manager (Vic, Tas, SA, NT)
