A pilot study underway at Murdoch’s Division of Social Sciences, Humanities and Education may provide the key to reforming policies and attitudes towards the elderly in Australia.

“People over 45 years old currently have difficulties finding employment, and yet we are reaching a time where the workforce will have to rely on the mature end of the population,” said Dr Debbie Rodan, research associate working on the pilot study.

About 12 per cent of the population is currently over 65 years old, a figure which is predicted to rise to almost 25 per cent by 2051.

“When the baby boomers (people born between 1947-65) reach retirement age, they will be the largest number of old people ever alive,” said Dr Rodan.

“They are also a group who has traditionally challenged ideas about society, and they have assets, money and are generally healthy.

“Older people are now seen as needing to remain as active members of the community. This brings a new set of beliefs and values about old people and the need for more specialised services to fulfil their needs.”

The Murdoch research team is endeavouring to involve Seniors in much of this work.

The team, led by Emeritus Professor Cora Baldock, is exploring ways to raise awareness about older people remaining active community members, without feeling isolated as they age.

“We need to turn the media, industry and society in general around to embrace the social belonging of their older citizens,” said Dr Rodan.

This initial pilot study has enabled an application to be made for a Linkage Grant with industry partners St Ives Aged Care Services. The pilot study will also work on identifying the opinions of people of different ages about the participation, communication, physical well being and role of reciprocal care for elderly people.

The Linkage application if successful will be used for a PhD project at Murdoch beginning next year, which will create a model of future age friendly practices in Australian society.