Aging in Australia.

An aging population, growing awareness of chronic disease, and access and navigation of health care services prompt much discussion regarding aging in Australia. Debate within academic and policy circles directs attention toward preventive health, with a growing interest in " healthy aging " and " active aging " where quality of life, rather than years of life, is important. There is little doubt that an aging population places pressure on governments and broader society, but these challenges also present opportunities for positive change. Who Are Older Australians? People older than 65 years of age account for 13% of the almost 20 million Australians, with projections suggesting an increase to 26%–28% by 2051 (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2008). Those older than 85 years currently represent 1.6% of the population but will increase to 7%–10% by 2101 (ABS, 2008). Australians enjoy one of the longest life expectancies, 79 years for men and 84 years for women (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW], 2006), projected to rise to 100 years by 2060 (Oeppen & Vaupel, 2002). As the population ages, there will be increased demands on the health system and on family members to care for their older relatives. The health system will be strained due to increased numbers of older people, increased expectations of older people to have control of how and where they live their lives, decreased informal caregivers and workforce shortages (Productivity Commission, 2011). Health care in Australia is delivered via the public and private sectors, with responsibility for public health policy and funding divided between

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