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In its third edition, State of the Older Nation (SOTON) details the experiences and views of 2,750 Australians aged 50 and over, and this year paints a bleak picture with almost half (45%) of older Australians believing that things are getting worse for them, which is a sentiment mirrored by older Western Australians (46%).
The COTA Federation 2023 Report highlights an overarching pessimism that is underpinned by fewer older Australians feeling financially secure, more reporting difficulties accessing health services, reports of age discrimination, and worries about their risk of homelessness, with sentiments even worse among vulnerable people.
“Though these findings are upsetting, they are perhaps unsurprising. Every time we talk about the issues that affect older Western Australians age-related discrimination comes up”, explains COTA Western Australia CEO Christine Allen.
Age-related discrimination is insidious and impacts the everyday life of older Western Australians, from housing to health through to access to information and digital inclusion. With government and service providers increasingly expecting clients to act and engage online, older Western Australians are getting left behind.
“It can be subtle, but the fact of the matter is ageism is an endemic issue and permeates every aspect of the lives of older Western Australians. Tackling ageism is essential, particularly in education and awareness, as older Western Australians have made significant contributions to the community throughout their lives. As a community, we must look at ways to better utilise the skills and experience of older members of our community”