Aging & Society: Eighth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

In the immediate period after Federation, the newly formed Australian government recognised the rights of the elderly to have a dignified life. The 1908 introduction of an aged pension was the starting point of governmental services for this segment of society. Further government policies through the next 100 years have had a profound effect on the cultural composition of the Australian population, and thus its elderly. This paper evaluates Australian aged-care policies and demography of the Australian population. Analysis of documents, inclusive of aged-care policies and census data, places access to services into focus. A culturally diverse nation requires policies to support and reflect the needs and abilities of all members of the society. Integration, unity, and cohesiveness are key features of Australia’s multicultural policies but these are insufficient when looking at the needs of aging Australians. Thus there are far-reaching implications of this paper both for policy makers and and provision of aged-care support.