CUSTOMER CONVERSATIONS PRESENTATION

Group experiencing

ElderlyHealth inequities

The role of Australian government

The role of individuals and community

Environmental factors

Socioeconomic factors

Sociocultural factors

The extent of elderly in Australia

Who are the elderly?

Index

Older Australians is focused in the age range of 65 and over. For older Indigenous Australians, the age is 50 and over.

The data reflects a life expectancy gap between Australians and non- Australians; and a lower population of Indigenous people aged 65 and over. Thus, non- Australians and Australians elderly are a health priority group that we will find out more in these following slides.

The nature of elderly

By age and sex

Trends in 2066

At 30 june 2020, there were 4.2 million older people comprising 16% of Australias population. The number is expected to grow, making up 21% of the poptulation by 2066

In 2066, there were 2.4% of female elderly and 2% of males aged 85 and over. -> The statistic prove that women tend to live longer than men, this shows particularly in older age group

Extent of elderly group in Australia

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Therefore, elderly is put on the highest priotiy on the health inequities list

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Another major disease found in elder groups is dementia, with 93% people suffering from dementia. The injury death occurs amongst elderly is ⅓ is male and ⅔ is female. -> Cancer wasn’t a wariness until the life expectancy of females was detected to be slightly higher than males; followed by the increasing cancer survival rate and continued aging of population. Therefore, cancer becomes a comorbid disease (which means its a medical condition comprising with more than one disorder )

Diseases: 78% of the elders suffer from either asthma, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, etc. A trigger warning is that half of elderly have to endure with 5 or more chornic disease

Australia's population is increasing due to higher life expectancy and declining fertility rate. Older population is increasing represents the increasing trend of the whole population in the previous slides

Frequently Asked questions about Extent of elderly

Her touching story with the socio- economic deprivation (living based on little government support while she coudln't work) makes elderly group become a health priority.

Taking example from an age pensioner Helen martin- whose income depends solely on age pension was struggling with dining- out sacrifices and socializing.She quoted: “you can’t say to the children: come down, I’m going to cook a roast because meat is expensive”. She also expressed her favor in enjoying a counter meal, but the reality of cost rising forces her to be belt- tightening. “I’like to go out for once a week for counter meal, but you go and make your own toast because it’s cheaper." This also means limited healthy food choices and restricted socialization to enjoy a warm meal with her family and friends

Conveying the fact of rising cost of living

An example from Helen Martin

Socioeconomic factors

Reduced in income and age pension The impact of rising cost of living and global economic uncertainty as as result of inflation, Australian elderly who depend solely on pension income struggling to access healthy food choices and social activities. This means those who were experiencing financial hardship a few years ago really stretched now. "According to australian bureau statistics, living cost increases by 2.6% in working household, but the number increased by 3.4 percent in age pension households since december 2021."

It's affected by a reduce of participation in employment. Through many anticipation in retirement’s research, work is a place where people develop friendships, socialization and improve self- worth. As they reach into retired age, and quit working due to injury or feeling tired, their support networks are reduced, and thus affecting a decline in mental health.

Real- life examples

A graph shows Australian- born elderly have higher accommodation in remote areas with (89%) and only (85.3%) of elderly population living in outer- regional areas. This can account for the relocation of social housing and the prevalence of people enjoying quietness and peace when they age

Taking an example from ABC news, in the town of Ulverstone, Tasmania, a couple aged pensioners- Maria and haywood are experiencing difficulty to travel and access to health services at the city of Hobart, which is 302 km away due to the rise in transport fee. The distance somehow causes a problem for her elective surgery, despite the fact being the highest priority on waiting list

Analysis

Due to the increase of chronic illnesses and disability amongst elderly group, older Australians should be prioritized in terms of care and support. The requirement of health care facilities rapidly increases, and the access to health services also become more difficult; especially with those living in remote and rural area. The number of health facilities decreases by every 40km away from the major cities, which is an additional disadvantage for this group. Taking an account that elder people need to attend specialist centers frequently, which may not be available in their areas. In addition, elderly is more dependent on their families due to limited health condition, which reduces access to services if they live by themselves.

Distance and limited health facilities

Envrionmental factors

Family becomes a very important health and social activity. The elderly often cared for by children when carer is required since they become less independent in carrying daily acticities, but it’s difficult for the family to change roles and families being hesitant to become a main carer often comes with financial costs.In addition social service agent or nurses can only ensure certain advantages and equity for elderly, but they can’t substitute inmate relationship coming from family. Again economics can affect how families could stay together and support elderly. Besides, they begin to lose friend as they age and unable to attend workforce again because of physical injuries or health illnesses; which also reduce support networks -> The isolation makes it worse for elderly if they have to live alone in social housing. Social isolation associated with 50% increased risk of dementia, poor social relationship would increase 29% rate of heart disease.

Sociocultural factors

Elderly group is whose physical capability and mental health illnesses decrease the greatest as they're aging; thus, they need to improve in these areas. Elderly is determined as a priority group.

Prevention is better than cure- young people who recognize the degradation of aging health should be more conscious to practice healthy lifestyles. It includes quitting smoking, increasing physical activity level and eating a healthy, balanced diet with minimum fat, sugar and sodium

Physical health

In april 2022, approximately 619,000 older australians (aged 65 and over) returned and remained in labour workforce. The reasons include job availability, and health, and economic disadvantage. It’s beneficial because it has proven to increas life expectancy, increase years of disability- free, having additional earning income, and boosting up mental health.

Attend workforce

What can seniors by individuals do to minimise the presence of health inequities within their group?

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The elderly can increase their social activity by increasing contact with their family, moving into a retirement village or going to a volunteer organization. Australia’s workforce creates many opportunities for elderly to work in the positions that suit their fitness and ability.

Socialisation

Roles of individuals

Home care

Social support

Support independence

: ARC provides services such as housekeeping, Meals-on- wheels for for elders who are immobile and personal care. While Australian unity homecare packages offer in- home care with their allied health services involving nurses, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and podiatry

ARC offers programs such as community visitors, phone calls, and group activities to help seniors stay connected. Australian home care packages provide opportunities for social interactions through the activites and events organised by service providers that gather elderly community together

ARC provides support to seniors living alone in carrying the daily tasks to ensure that they remain independent as long as possible, while Australian Unity Home packages provides equipments such as mobility aids to aid older people achieve their daily tasks.

Majority of the 2 organization is both funded by government and community services, so elderly can receive low or free service support charge in aiding with all 3 areas

Elderly- a priotiy group of govern'ment's healthcare experiences certain health inequities that require additional support from Australian Red Cross and Australian unity homecare packages.

Australian red cross (ARC) and Australian Unity Home Packages

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Role of community

Aged care 24/7 requirement helps to enhance quality health services by recommending at least one registered nurse to be onsite per residential aged care services at all time. (24hrs per day, 7 days a week) It’s important as it reduces the risk of resident harm by ensuring qualified and experienced staff are always available to address issues of the older people and allows RNs to manage to issues as a first responder

Transition care program is designed to help older Australians, who are living the hospitals and returning to community to regain their independence and improve their health outcomes. By providing older Australians with what they need to transition back into the community. This can be particularly important for older Australians who may have limited access to healthcare services or who may face language or cultural barriers to accessing care

Aged care quality standards can address health inequities by promoting equitable access to healthcare service, and this code of conduct must present in both residential aged care and in community. This is achieved by ensuring that older Australians receive care that is tailored to their individual needs and preferences, regardless of their background or circumstances. For example, the standards require that aged care providers take into account cultural, and spiritual diversity when providing care

Thus, the follwoing government' s program has addressed this priority group to achieve health inquities and supported them in certain aspects.(below)

Elderly group associates with many types of illneses (dementia) and even mental health problems, which prevents them from performing daily tasks and socialize with family and friends.

How can government address health inequities ?

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Role of Australian government

Links to Bibliography

• Works Cited AIHW. “Older Australians, Aged Care.” Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 30 Nov. 2021, www.aihw.gov.au/reports/older-people/older-australians/contents/aged-care.Australian Red Cross (ARC).

• “Aged Care Services for Older People.” Australian Red Cross, 2022, www.redcross.org.au/services/services-for-older-people/

• .Australian Unity Homecare packages. “Home Care Packages | Australian Unity.” Www.australianunity.com.au, www.australianunity.com.au/assisted-living/home-services/resources/home-care-packages. Accessed 6 Mar. 2023.

• CDC. “Loneliness and Social Isolation Linked to Serious Health Conditions.” Www.cdc.gov, 30 Apr. 2021, www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/lonely-older-adults.html#:~:text=Health%20Risks%20of%20Loneliness&text=1-

• .Department of health and aged care. “Aged Care Initiatives and Programs.” Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, 24 Nov. 2022, www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care/aged-care-initiatives-and-program

• .Donnellan, Angelique. ““I’ve Become More and More Depressed”: Why Older Australians like Brett Are Nervous for Their Retirement.” ABC News, 10 Aug. 2022, www.abc.net.au/news/2022-08-11/older-australians-delay-retirement-superannuation-cost-of-living/101296658.

• Jackson, Dan. “The Elderly.” HSC PDHPE, pdhpe.net/health-priorities-in-australia/what-are-the-priority-issues-for-improving-australias-health/groups-experiencing-health-inequities/the-elderly/.
• King, Rosie. “While Some Older Australians Are Flying High, Others Are Watching Every Penny as the Cost of Living Rises.” ABC News, 2 Apr. 2022, www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-03/what-the-rising-cost-of-living-means-on-australian-age-pension/100947258.

You're being so patient!

I've spent so much time working on this and making it to perfection (although it cannot :)) I hope you've enjoy it!!

Thank you!