cq2; growing and ageing population

Question 1

Why is there an ageing population?

Answer 1

1. ↑ Life expectancy
2. ↓ Birth rates (lowest ever)
   By 2050 65+ is expected to double

Question 2

What will an ageing population impact?

Answer 2

• Health care services
• Work force shortages

Question 3

How are health care services impacted?

Answer 3

Greater demand for hospitals, specialists and aged care assistance
- Older people account for 20% of emergency visits
- Increased demand for doctors and nurses
- 98% of 65+ visits the doctor regularly

Question 4

How are work force shortages impacted?

Answer 4

↑demand = ↓supply
- Shortage in health care workers
- Limited availability of carers
- Some people may need to leave the workforce to look after family members

Question 5

What is healthy ageing?

Answer 5

The process of developing and maintaining functional ability that enables wellbeing in older people (as they age)

Question 6

Why is healthy ageing important?

Answer 6

• Make the elderly more independent and keep them in their homes (out of hospitals and nursing home)
• Ensures good QOL for as long as possible → reduces demand for health care
• Reduces chronic diseases (e.g. CVD, cancer, mental health problems)

Question 7

How has a growing and ageing population lead to increased population living with chronic diseases & disability?

Answer 7

Due to the increased no. of people surviving strokes, heart attacks etc. → the no. of Australians living with disease and disability has increased

Question 8

How can we reduce the extent of an increased population living with chronic diseases and disabilities?

Answer 8

Future levels of disease can be reduced if children control risk factors (eg. smoking, obesity,
drinking & physical inactivity)

Question 9

What are examples of healthy ageing initiatives?

Answer 9

• Commonwealth support home programs (e.g. focuses on encouraging healthy lifestyles)
• Uniting care exercise classes
• Live up app; focuses on helping people stay independent through healthy ageing (exercise classes, products and contact with other local groups)
• Hop, Skip, Jump
• Meals on Wheels

Question 10

What is Hop, Skip, Jump?

Answer 10

A groups that conduct door-to-door pickup and transportation for elderly, increasing their mobility and autonomy to aid them in going shopping or visiting friends