Let's talk about getting old
Growing up, I was told it is a privilege to get older and reminded not everyone has the opportunity. But rather than later life being celebrated and respected, over time many of us have come to believe it is problematic and therefore something to be feared.
That’s partly because we’re living longer, so collectively older age is somewhat uncharted territory. It requires a lot more preparation than in past generations. Researchers know very little about how prepared we feel for ageing in Australia, what aspects of preparation are a priority and what factors impact our capacity to prepare.
National Seniors Australia’s new research enriches our understanding of all these things, based on a survey of 3400 people aged 50 and older. It turns out that a glass half full or empty attitude can make a difference to our preparedness.
Our research has confirmed this intuitive link between older people’s attitudes towards ageing and their readiness for it. Just over two-thirds of our survey respondents felt somewhat or very prepared for ageing, but those who had ageing concerns were significantly less likely to feel prepared.
Conversely, respondents who agreed there are positive aspects to ageing were 340% more likely to feel prepared for it. That’s a significant difference, associated with a sunnier outlook on getting older. Age, health and wealth all affect our readiness for later life too. The research showed older and wealthier people were significantly more likely to feel prepared, while those in poor health were nearly 30% less likely to feel prepared.
So, what does preparation for ageing mean to these older Australians? The survey invited respondents to comment on their ageing preparation experiences and sentiments. The comments highlighted several life areas in which preparations are required, the primary domains being health, accommodation and finances.
The survey revealed that across all life areas, feeling prepared is associated with taking action, gaining knowledge and having a positive mind set. As one 68-year-old respondent explained, “Our finances and living arrangements have been planned for many years and make ageing somewhat easier.”
On the other hand, comments about being unprepared highlighted worry and the barriers to preparation. As a 70-year-old respondent shared, “The biggest concern is my lack of understanding of the aged care sector, options and how to pay for it.”
Overall, the comments suggest older people need three kinds of support to prepare for ageing.
- Structural change such as housing and income security are essential enablers because without access to these material supports any preparations will be inadequate.
- Good information about how to prepare is also valuable. People need to know what to expect from their ageing bodies, what changes to make in their lives, and how to navigate our social support systems in later life.
- Emotional resilience is the third factor, to help people challenge negative expectations and fears that prevent them from making preparations. We could all benefit from cultivating that magical positive attitude to ageing.
While ageing can present changing circumstances, taking action to prepare for it helps maintain quality of life – it buffers against health-related challenges and increases opportunities for fulfillment and satisfaction.
When it comes to maintaining quality of life, preparation is key. National Seniors will use this information to help inform its policy and advocacy work supporting quality of later life for older people.
The full report, Preparation for Ageing and Later Life, can be downloaded from the National Seniors Australia website.
Dr Diane Hosking is the Head of Research at National Seniors Australia