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Coming of ageing a positive experience, book argues

March 31, 2005

Minichiello Victor Ward.jpgOlder people, rather than young families, are embracing the “Sea Change” and bringing to coastal towns financial clout and job opportunities, according to research from the University of New England.
Professor Victor Minichiello, Dean of the Faculty of Education, Health and Professional Studies, will launch a book he co-edited tomorrow which looks at how older populations are challenging some assumptions about Australian society.
The book, “Contemporary Issues in Gerontology: Promoting Positive Ageing”, looks at the social, economic and financial worth of older people and observes some interesting facts, including:
* Australians aged over 50 represent a quarter of the population but control 75 per cent of the country’s wealth.
* The mid-north coast of NSW is set to become the oldest region in the State, with just under half the area’s population made up of residents aged over 55.
* These residents will be a pool for markets and so create new opportunities for industry.
* Although Australians are living longer, most men and women remain in relatively good health after the age of 65.
“This book argues that the new gerontology is less about the study of disease and disability among the older population and more about … positive ageing,” Professor Minichiello said.

“We need creative and empowering ways of thinking about older people so we can come to terms with this massive demographic revolution and make necessary changes in infrastructure and policies to support older Australians.”
Indeed, UNE is leading the way in gerontological issues, with a number of mature-aged students writing PhDs on why older people are migrating to rural and regional communities and which are expected to help formulate retirement policies.
The book, co-edited by Canadian Professor Irene Coulson, is international in its scope and reveals how in the US, nearly half of all new car sales are made by people over the age of 50, who also account for half that country’s consumer spending.
Published by Allen and Unwin, the book pulls together and inter-disciplinary team of academics from the social sciences and health professions who write about various aspects of the Western world’s ageing population.
The book’s launch coincides with the launch of another publication, also co-edited by an academic from UNE.
“Health Care Financial Management”, edited by UNE Senior Lecturer David Briggs and Professor Mary Courtney from Queensland University of Technology, looks at how aged care, disability and the community care services are financed in Australia.
The book argues the increasing centralisation of funding of these areas is contrary to good public policy. The text is increasingly being used in health management programs in Australia and has attracted interest from practitioners as far afield as Hong Kong and Thailand.
Importantly, the authors have in a practical manner drawn attention to the complexity of health care funding. The book demonstrates that solutions to how we might best fund the health system are not easily found when as a society we value both equity of access, choice, and universal coverage while governments strive to achieve efficiency within the system.
For more information phone Professor Victor Minichiello on 6773 3862, or Mr David Briggs on 6773 3954 or Lydia Roberts on 6773 2779


Posted by Lydia Roberts at March 31, 2005 12:52 PM