The proportion of Australians aged 65 and older continues to grow, from 15% of the population in 2017 to a predicted 22% of the population by 2057. The ageing of the population creates both pressures and opportunities for health and wellbeing in our region (Queensland Government Statisticians' Office 2021, DDWMPHN 2022).  

Our region has a similar proportion of older people to the rest of Queensland and Australia, but this proportion is growing at a very fast rate. We currently have a lower number of residential aged care places available.

• There are more than 90,000 older Australians (aged 65 years and over) living in the region. The number is expected to double by 2036  Queensland Government Statisticians' Office 2021 (Queensland Government Statisticians' Office 2021).

• The proportion of older Australians in the region is similar to that for all of Queensland (16.5% of the population compared with 16.1% for Queensland) (Queensland Government Statisticians' Office 2021).  

• Regional areas that have a higher proportion of older Australians are Southern Downs (24.9% of the population), South Burnett (24.7%) and Somerset (21.4%) (Queensland Government Statisticians' Office 2021). 

• Most people, want to continue living in their own home as they age, even when they need support or care (DDWMPHN 2022).

• In 2020–21, the region had 68 residential aged care facilities, with an average occupancy rate of around 87%. There were 73 home care services providing around 47 places per 1000 older Australians, compared with 48 per 1000 nationally and 46 per 1000 across Queensland. There were also around 104 home support services providing 307 places per 1000 older Australians, compared with 290 per 1000 nationally and 340 per 1000 across Queensland (AIHW 2021c) .

• Compared with the national average, our region had a slightly higher proportion of older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people needing aged care services (2% compared with 1.4% nationally) (AIHW 2021c). 

• The average length of stay in residential aged care in the region was 30 months in 2020–21, and varied with the reason for leaving. Reasons for leaving include moving home or to community (16 months), moving to other residential care (24 months), and hospitalisation (37 months) (AIHW 2021c). Around 70% of older people would like service providers to come to them at home because of mobility and disability issues (DDWMPHN 2022). 

Symptoms of dementia can include memory problems, increasing confusion, reduced concentration, personality or behavioural changes, and depression. The support of families, friends and carers is important when managing the condition.

The region has an increasing number of people living with dementia, including those with early onset dementia, but appropriate services and workforce are limited.

• In 2020, 46% of people in permanent residential aged care in the region had a diagnosis of dementia, compared with 54% for Australia (AIHW 2021c).

• Dementia and Alzheimer disease are the second leading causes of death across our PHN region in 2020 (AIHW 2023).

Evidence suggests that social isolation and feelings of loneliness are associated with an increased risk of dementia (Lazzari & Rabottini 2021). Both are likely to have been exacerbated during the lockdowns in our region in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Near the end of a person’s life, it is important that the person is involved as much as possible in decision-making about their care. These discussions should take place before they become too frail or ill to participate. Psychological, emotional and spiritual issues are as important as physical health in both end-of-life planning and in palliative care. The Palliative Care Services Review noted that palliative care can improve the quality of life for around three in four people. Having palliative care available in the home or community of the patient can help to manage demand for higher-intensity care in many locations (Rome et al.2011).

Our region has a growing population of older Australians who will require support to continue living at home while they age. Appropriate end-of-life planning and palliative care are also required.

• By 2026–27, demand for specialist palliative care is expected to increase by 44% in the Darling Downs region, and by 52% in the West Moreton region (Queensland Health 2019).

• The Queensland Government has committed additional funding of $171 million from 2021–22 to 2025–26 to lead reforms to palliative care.

• Consultation across the region identified the need for improved end-of-life planning and decision-making to allow timely discussions with trusted healthcare providers. It also identified the need for resources to assist healthcare workers in providing support to patients through the decision-making process (Health Consumer Queensland 2022). 

By working with older Australians across our region, we learn more about their healthcare needs to shape the development of integrated and coordinated primary healthcare pathways, which will result in better clinical decision-making and improved health outcomes. People and communities more likely to experience complex care needs include culturally and linguistically diverse, LGBTIQ+, cognitive impairment, low reading or health literacy (including digital literacy), forgotten Australians, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness.

Older Australians in our region are diverse, and some are not connected to the care they need. Their attitudes and beliefes in relation to mental, social and emotional, physical, economic, and cultural wellbeing are influenced by their life experiences. 

• Nearly 1 in 3 (29%) older Australians in our region had a profound disability (PHIDU, 2021).

• A high proportion of older Australians in our region have one or two chronic conditions, ranging between 59% and 68% across our communities, (DDWMPHN, 2022). 

• Vulnerable populations reside in many communities across our region, including rural and urban areas. It is important to consider geographic diversity when developing programs that seek to connect older Australians to the care they need.

• Click to read the PHN's Outcome Report for the Care finder program.