Colette Browning, Professor of Healthy Ageing and Director of Research at Monash University's School of Primary Health Care, presented at our seminar entitled 'Demographic Transition: Addressing the economic and social impacts of an ageing population: Is there a silver lining?' on Thursday 13th November, 2014, in Melbourne. Held in partnership with National Australia Bank as part of the UNAA Sustainability Leadership Series, this seminar discussed the opportunities and challenges associated with an ageing society. For more information about this seminar and the UNAA Sustainability Leadership Series please visit www.unaavictoria.org.au/education-advocacy/masterclasses/

1. Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Professor Colette Browning
School of Primary Health Care
Monash University, Australia
GSA 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting NGSA 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting Nov. 5-9 2014 Washington D.C.. 5-9 2014 Washington D.C.
United Nations Demographic Transitions Seminar Addressing the economic and social impacts of an ageing population: Is there a silver lining?

2. Welcome
A warm welcome to our presenters and participants and thank you to the UN Association of Victoria for convening this important seminar on population ageing.
Population ageing is a cause for celebration!
While we often focus on the challenges of ageing to individuals and society we need to refocus on the opportunities afforded to many countries through the contributions made by our older citizens.
UN Association Leadership Series: Ageing 13 Novemeber 2014
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3. Focus for today
Today our speakers will examine how we can address the impacts of our ageing population on:
–workforce participation and productivity,
–our financial and welfare system, including pensions, and
–the provision of aged care, health and social services.
We will also have a particular focus on age discrimination and human rights.
UN Association Leadership Series: Ageing 13 Novemeber 2014
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4. Consider: Older people are not an homogeneous group
Ageing is characterised by increasing heterogeneity in terms of health, experiences and where and how we live.
In order to understand the opportunities and challenges of population ageing we need to consider, gender, SES, cultural and ethnic identity, and the different social and built environments in which we live.
UN Association Leadership Series: Ageing 13 Novemeber 2014
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5. Consider: Policy Environment in Australia
Pressure to work longer to promote self reliance in old age,
–BUT threats to vocational training, higher education, value of unpaid work often ignored.
Ageing in place: Australians have high home ownership; preference to stay in own home with support.
– BUT increasingly will need to pay more for that support, and homes need to be suitable for changing health and lifestyles.
Promotion of healthy lifestyles, management of chronic illness,
–BUT threats to universal health insurance, increasing multi morbidity.
Promotion of social participation and social inclusion,
–BUT increasing social isolation of some groups, age discrimination.
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6. Agenda for the seminar
Keynote Speaker:
–The Hon Susan Ryan, AO, Age Discrimination Commissioner
–Questions
Afternoon tea break
Guest speakers:
–Katharine Betts, Swinburne University of Technology
–Sue Hendy, COTA
–Emily Millane, Per Capita
–Rowan Arndt, Sageco
Panel discussion, Q & A
UN Association Leadership Series: Ageing 13 Novemeber 2014
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7. Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
Co-Directors: Colette Browning and Hal Kendig
Sample: 1000, 65+ in the community in 1994
Data Collections: Baseline home interview with biennial follow-ups for 16 years.
GSA 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting NGSA 2014 Annual Scientific Meeting Nov. 5-9 2014 Washington D.C.. 5-9 2014 Washington D.C.
Health and ageing: Findings from the Melbourne Longitudinal Studies on Healthy Ageing Program

8. Meaning of healthy ageing
Respondents said that healthy ageing means:
–being active physically and socially
–feeling well
–continuing to contribute
–as well as absence of disease
Health as a resource and a means to maintain the ‘continuing self’ (identity)
At baseline 80% rated their health as good, very good or excellent
At baseline 80% were frequently happy and functionally independent
But less that 50% ate fruit and vegetables daily, and
One third of women had a fall in the last year
UN Association Leadership Series: Ageing 13 Novemeber 2014
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9. Predictors of healthy ageing
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Significant Baseline Predictors
Women only
Men only
Total sample
High Strain
✔
Physical Activity
✔
✔
Healthy Nutrition
✔
BMI acceptable
✔
✔
No Urinary Incontinence
✔
Perceived Social Activity Adequacy
✔
Perceived Social Support Adequacy
✔
Social Activity Amount
✔
Ex-Smoker
✔

10. Key findings for health promotion
Healthy life styles in old age have longer term benefits
Life styles directly influence quality of life outcomes
Older women and men face different vulnerabilities
UN Association Leadership Series: Ageing 13 Novemeber 2014
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