Australia’s elderly population is notably on the upswing, with the Australian Institute of Family Studies reporting the highest concentration in the areas of Tasmania, South Australia, and New South Wales. The Australian Human Rights Commission, on the other hand, reports that by 2025, the number of senior citizens above 65 years old will overtake that of children aged 0-14 years old. The agency also reports positive precedents for life expectancy, as both the male and female population of the elderly typically live up to 80 years old.
Armed with such statistics about one of Australia’s key demographics, some good questions come to mind: what are the living conditions of our senior citizens like, and what constitutes a happy, healthy environment for them to live out the rest of their long lives?
Part of the answer lies at home. Majority of elderly Australians choose to remain at home and live as independently as possible, with only a quarter of the population aged 85 years old and above checking into a community home. The desire to stay in their homes, or those of their children, has set off the Australian healthcare sector’s pattern on giving proper care to the aged. But it is not only the doctors and caregivers who can do their part for the elderly; if you have pledged your support for an elderly relative and are in the position to make the calls, then certainly, you can take charge of making a home more conducive to their daily lives.
To help you make your home friendlier to the elderly, here’s a short list of action points for you to tick off, as well as recommendations of people to work with.
When you have achieved the goal of making your home more welcoming to your elderly loved ones, then you will have enabled them to age gracefully and without regret.
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