Study helps meet the challenges of ageing population
seniors exercise
As part of its Towards 2030 plan, the Government has provided funding towards a comprehensive study focusing on the life-style habits of 260,000 New South Wales men and women aged 45 years and more.
The 45 and Up study, undertaken by the Sax Institute, will provide a sample of about 10 percent of this age group.
Launching the Towards 2030 first-year progress report at Sydney Olympic Park today, Minister for Ageing Paul Lynch said the 45 and Up study would follow participants’ health over the coming decades. “This study will shape health policies and services for a rapidly-ageing population,” Mr Lynch said.
By 2030, the number of people aged more than 65 years forecast to double. By 2047, 25 percent of the population is expected to be aged over 65 years. “The data will help researchers and government gain a better understanding of how to prevent conditions like cancer, cardio-vascular disease, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s and diabetes,” Mr Lynch said.
“After just five years of follow-up, the Study will gather information on more than 6000 deaths and 6000 cases of cancer and provide the best possible care for those who have the condition,” he said. Study participant Gillian Hutchinson, 78, from Padstow Heights, said it was important for people to keep their mind and body as healthy as they could in later years.
Mrs Hutchinson, who was forced to retire early due to arthritis, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997 and diabetes in 2006.
She keeps active by playing table tennis twice a week and working up to nine days a month managing the University of Sydney gift shop. “I’m very competitive and am currently the State over 75 champion. It would change my life a lot if I had to give up table tennis. If I couldn’t play, that would be bad,” she said.
“I think it’s very important to volunteer, not just for studies and surveys but to help out in your community as well,” Mrs Hutchinson said. Sax Institute Director of Research Louisa Jorm said large prospective studies like 45 and Up are the only way to accurately determine the future needs of communities and give government reliable evidence to make sustainable policy.
“When completed, the 45 and Up study will reflect the diversity of the Australian community and reveal the causes of most health problems as well as the special needs of rural and remote populations and cultural groups,” Professor Jorm said.
Towards 2030 contains 119 actions to be achieved by 2013. Progress on the firstyear includes: • introducing the Regional Excursion Daily Ticket in all country areas, providing seniors and pensioners with all-day travel for $2.50 on regular bus routes • developing the Social Housing for Older Residents Design Guidelines, ensuring design meets the needs of older people • developing a Chronic Disease Management Program to strengthen the role of care coordination and self-management Mr Lynch said the ageing of the State’s population was a positive trend that should be celebrated.
“People in New South Wales are living longer and leading healthier lives than previous generations,” he said.
“The ageing population will place extra pressure on services delivered by government and others and challenge attitudes about the roles older people play in our society,” Mr Lynch said.
“It’s great news that people are living long, healthy and happy lives. It means that we’ve made great advances in medical science and people are reaping the benefits of better standards of living,” he said.
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