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Rural Health Issues - Ageing

The ageing of the Australian population is becoming an issue of increasing political and strategic importance. In addition to government concern with funding of aged care and health services, retirement income and intergenerational and workforce issues, there has also been an emphasis on promoting and encouraging healthy ageing (Byles et al. 2006:151). It is clear that the proportion of the Australian population aged over 65 years is increasing. It is predicted that in the year 2051 25% of the Australian population will be aged over 65 years (Byles et al. 2006:151). Of the 26.3% of Australia’s population living in regional and rural areas, approximately 16% are aged over 60 years, and this proportion is increasing (Brewster 2002:8). Schofield and Earnest (2006:507), suggest that the ageing of the population and advances in technologies will see significant shifts in the demand for health are impacting on all health programs including public hospital systems. Ageing of the health workforce is also likely to lead to a shortage of health professionals at the same time that demand for their services is increasing (Schofield & Earnest 2006:507).
Black et al. (2000:74) has noted that the trend towards both rationalisation and privatisation of health and other services in rural and remote communities has had a disproportionate effect on the elderly. Their lower incomes, restricted mobility and poorer health status make them more vulnerable in a context of reduced health services. Whilst it should be recognised that the ageing process is natural and should not be medicalised or assumed to be equated with illness, senility or dependence, shortages of GPs, nurses and allied health workers in rural and remote communities make access to health care services more difficult and expensive for older people in rural and remote areas than elsewhere. Added to this, is the non-existence of geriatric and psycho-geriatric services in many rural areas, the high cost or lack of...