The future seniors want
Australia’s five and a half million older citizens want a future free from discrimination, to be able to participate fully in Australian society, and to have access to quality and affordable services when they need them, according to seniors advocate COTA Australia.
Australia’s five and a half million older citizens want a future free from discrimination, to be able to participate fully in Australian society, and to have access to quality and affordable services when they need them, according to seniors advocate COTA Australia.
Ian Yates, COTA Australia chief executive, claimed compared to many other countries, many older Australians can enjoy a reasonable standard of living, but “we still have a long way to go to treat all older people with the respect they deserve.”
Mr Yates’ comments came as International Day of Older Persons was celebrated yesterday.
“Ageism is alive and well in Australia, but our age discrimination laws are weaker than any of the other anti-discrimination Acts, despite the fact that over a third of older Australians say they have directly experienced age related discrimination.”
According to Mr Yates, nearly a third of the long term unemployed on the inadequate Newstart Allowance are over 55 years and many face poverty for life as they languish, often unable to find employment for 10 years or more, before they qualify for the properly indexed aged pension.
“Access to affordable housing is an ongoing challenge for many older people and out of pocket health and aged care expenses hit older Australians particularly hard,” he added.
Mr Yates urged the newly elected government to commit to developing an ageing strategy which takes a “whole-of government approach” to an ageing population.
On the theme of what older people want for their future, Mr Yates said older people tell COTA they would like to enjoy the same rights and entitlements as the rest of the population, not be consigned to second class citizenship.
“What older people really want is to be able to continue to have an active, healthy and productive life for as long as possible, with appropriate supports if required.
“They want to have the option to stay in the workforce for as long as they choose, contribute to the community, age in their homes and communities and access good quality and affordable health and aged care should they need it.”
