Australia’s aged population is rapidly increasing and the aged care system needs an innovative product to solve the needs of older Australians, their families and the healthcare system in overall.

In 2017, there were 3.8 million Australians aged 65 and over (comprising 15% of the total population) — increasing from 319,000 (5%) in 1927 and 1.3 million (9%) in 1977 (Figure 1) [1, 2]. The number and proportion of older Australians is expected to continue to grow. By 2057, it is projected there will be 8.8 million older people in Australia (22% of the population); by 2097, 12.8 million people (25%) will be aged 65 and over [1].

As Australia’s population ages, the profile of the older population is also projected to change. In 2017, more than half of older people (57%, or 2.2 million) were aged 65–74, one-third were aged 75–84 (30%, or 1.2 million), and 13% were aged 85 and over (497,000). By 2047, it is projected there will be just under 3.4 million people aged 65–74, though this represents a smaller proportion of all older people (45%). People aged 75–84 will account for 35% (2.6 million) of the population and 1 in 5 older people will be aged 85 and over (20%, or 1.5 million) [2].

Due to this demographic shift a range of challenges will arise as the population grows and more Australians reach advanced old age, the number of people with health problems is expected to rise. It will bring a substantial burden for people, their family members and caregivers (often one and the same), and an increased cost to the government.

Many older Australians (aged 65 and over) want to remain in their own homes as they age, and most do so. Only 5% of older Australians live in cared accommodation (like nursing homes) and we want to offer them a third option that will incorporate the benefits of an aged care accommodation, comfort of their own house and mobility of a vehicle with a caravan. 

With our Mobile Access Facilities elderly and disabled people will be able to travel around the most remote places in Australia and continue to receive healthcare support on the level of professional medical facilities.

Aged care system on the other hand, will have a strengthened infrastructure, reduced-workload on carers, improved monitoring, and much more.

References

  1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2014. Australian historical population statistics, 2014. ABS cat. no. 3105.0.65.001. Canberra: ABS.
  2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2017. Australian Demographic Statistics, Jun 2016. ABS cat. no. 3101.0. Canberra: ABS.