Latest Forum: 2012 PAC Meets Parliament
The National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre is pleased to announce our 2012 Forum: PAC Meets Parliament.
The purpose of this one-day forum is to stimulate public debate on the issues we face as we age and foster ideas for the development of sensible long-term policy solutions. This is a unique opportunity to engage with:
- Eminent speakers -the Hon Susan Ryan AO, Australia’s first dedicated Aged Discrimination Commissioner, and Phillip Adams AO, one of Australia’s most influential social commentators.
- Spokespeople form the three main political parties who will talk about what can political parties offer to address the challenges of population ageing?
- New research on overcoming barriers to employment and factors influencing financial health for later life.
- Panellists from a range of perspectives tackling the critical issues and policy responses to productive ageing.
To preview the program click here
For further details and to register, please visit the forum website here
Thursday, 10th May 2012
Latest Research Report: Improving Health Literacy in Seniors with Chronic Illness
The National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre is pleased to announce the release of its latest research report: Improving Health Literacy in Seniors with Chronic Illness.
Based on a study authored by James Gillespie and Justin McNab from the Menzies Centre for Health Policy at the University of Sydney, and their colleagues in the Serious and Continuing Illness Policy and Practice Study (SCIPPS), the report examines health literacy in detail. How do patients and carers learn about disease management? How do they develop their self-management abilities and learn to navigate complex health systems? What is the patient and carer experience of managing chronic disease?
This report shows how health literacy underpins patient and carer engagement and facilitates informed decision making and self-management ability.
To download a copy of the report click here
Monday, 30th April 2012
Facts and Figures - Financial Literacy & Anxiety
Prof. Paul Gerrans (University of Western Australia) and Prof. Douglas Hershey (Oklahoma State University) are working on a large project examining patterns of financial literacy and advisor anxiety among older Australians. They have produced two new fact sheets based on this study covering the preliminary findings.
The project includes a significant survey of older Australians and is funded by a PAC grant; supported by the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre and the Department of Health and Ageing. A final substantive report on this project will be made available in 2012.
To read the two new fact sheets from this project, click here.
Monday, 19th March 2012
Facts & Figures: Intergenerational Transfers of Time and Money
Prof. Graeme Hugo, Dr. Lidel O'Dwyer and colleagues from the University of Adelaide are working on a large project examining patterns of intergenerational transfers of time and money in Australia. They have produced a new fact sheet based on this study covering the preliminary findings.
The project includes a significant survey of older Australians. The project is funded by a PAC grant; supported by the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre and the Department of Health and Ageing. A final substantive report on this project will be made available in 2012.
To read the new Fact Sheet from this project, click here
Thursday, 15th March 2012
Latest Survey Report - Aged Care Reform: What Our Members Think
This report - Aged Care Reform; What Our Members Think - summarises the results of an online survey of NSA members seeking their views on the major reform proposals put forward to Government by the Productivity Commission in its final report Caring for Older Australians. The survey also collected information about members’ concerns about getting older, their preparations for ageing and their expectations around assistance and responsibility for care.
The survey was conducted between 5 December 2011 and 1 January 2012 by the National Seniors’ Policy Office, in conjunction with the Productive Ageing Centre. The findings reported in the survey report are based on 1,836 respondents (1,606 fully completed and 230 partially completed responses).
To download a copy of the report click here
Wednesday, 14th March 2012
Latest Research Report: Ageing Baby Boomers in Australia: Understanding the effects of the global financial crisis
The National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre is pleased to announce the release of its latest research report: Ageing Baby Boomers in Australia: Understanding the effects of the global financial crisis.
Australia is at a critical demographic turning point because the baby boom cohort - the 5.5 million people born between 1946 and 1965 - has begun to turn 65 years of age. This report closely examines the influence of the global financial crisis on baby boomers’ retirement decision making, retirement expectations, and their well-being in general. The findings show that the most at risk during times of financial insecurity are those from a lower socioeconomic background, women and those in poor health. The report also looks at what lessons can be learned should baby boomers and proceeding generations face similar crises in the future.
This is the second NSPAC report from the ABBA project. The first, My Generation: Are Australian baby boomers the retiring kind? summarised existing knowledge about the retirement plans and expectations. A third and final report will be published later in 2012.
To download a copy of the report click here
Monday, 5th March 2012
Facts & Figures: Residential Mobility and Reasons for Moving
Dr. Heather Booth, Dr Robert Ackland, Dr Tim Windsor and colleagues are working on a larger project on the social activity and wellbeing of older Australians. The Social Network and Ageing Project (SNAP) is funded by an ARC linkage grant in conjunction with National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre. The second fact sheet from this project examines residential mobility and the reasons mature age Australians give for moving residence.
To read the second fact sheet from the SNAP project, click here
Friday, 3rd February 2012
Facts & Figures: Retirement Planning Among Australians Aged 50 Years and Over: Evidence from ABS Data
Dr. Tim Adair, Dr. Jeromey Temple and Ms Lea Ortega from the Productive Ageing Centre are working on a large project examining the retirement planning of mature age Australians approaching retirement.
In the first stage, the project involves an analysis of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Multipurpose Household Survey. In the second stage of the project, detailed retirment planning data will be collected from a survey of over 2000 National Seniors Australia members on their retirment planning behaviours.
To read the new Fact Sheet from this project, click here
Wednesday, 21st December 2011
Research Report: Ageing and the Barriers to Labour Force Participation in Australia
National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre is pleased to announce the release of its report: Ageing and the Barriers to Labour Force Participation in Australia that was prepared for the Consultative Forum on Mature Age Participation. Published by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the report identifies fourteen barriers preventing older Australians remaining in or re-entering the workforce, including age discrimination, physical illness, injury and disability.
The final report and recommendations of the Forum will be handed to Government in mid-2012 and will draw on the findings of the first national survey examining the barriers faced by older Australians wanting to work, currently being undertaken by the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre.
To download a copy of the report click here
Tuesday, 13th December 2011
Research Report: Stereotype Threat and Mature Age Workers
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The National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre is pleased to announce the release of its latest research report: Stereotype Threat and Mature Age Workers.
This study investigated whether Australian mature age workers experienced stereotype threat, and whether the experience of stereotype threat was associated with more negative workplace attitudes and behaviours. The research revealed two disturbing findings about mature age workers who do experience stereotype threat regarding their age – they have more negative job attitudes, and these are associated with intentions to quit or retire. This suggests that the experience of stereotype threat at work can counteract efforts made to keep older adults in the workplace for longer. However, the research showed that while stereotype threat can hinder the success of Australia’s ageing workforce, not all mature age employees are equally vulnerable. Nonetheless, organisations need to understand and combat stereotype threat if they want to keep their mature age talent and help them reach their potential, and to ensure they themselves are not inadvertently reinforcing negative stereotypes.
To download a copy of the report click here
Thursday, 8th December 2011
Research Report: Are Older Australians Being Short Changed?
The National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre is pleased to announce the release of its latest research report: Are Older Australians Being Short Changed? An Analysis of Household Living Costs.
With the price of essentials increasing rapidly over the past few years, many Australian households have faced increased cost of living pressures. These pressures are more pronounced in the case of older Australians as a result of their typically below-average, fixed incomes, and their generally lower levels of discretionary spending.
This report focuses on the impact of changes in prices on the out of pocket living costs for specific types of older households, including age pensioner households and self-funded retiree households. It is clear that the purchasing power of many Australian households has reduced over the last five years.
To download a copy of the report click here
Tuesday, 15th November 2011
Research Monograph #1: A Carrot and A Big Stick
The National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre is pleased to announce the launch of a new publication series of research monographs. Released today, A Carrot and A Big Stick:Understanding Private Health Insurance & Older Australians uses data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Private Health Insurance Administration Council to describe the patterns of health insurance purchase amongst older Australians in a recent period of considerable policy change and sets out to answer the following questions:
• What proportion and number of Australians aged over 50 are covered by private health insurance and how has this changed over a period of significant reform (1997 to 2011)?
• What are the reasons that older Australians give for purchasing or not purchasing private health insurance?
• What are the characteristics of older Australians with and without cover, and are there differences in the type of coverage?
The findings show that, despite the proportion of over 50s covered by private health insurance rising from 40% in 1998 to about 52% today, nearly two-thirds of those without insurance said they could simply not afford it. Affordability is the key reason people of any age do not purchase health insurance.
To download a copy of the report click here
Wednesday, 26 October 2011
Research Report: Older Australians and the Internet
National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre has released its latest report today, ‘Older Australians and the Internet: Bridging the Digital Divide’.
In recent years, the internet has become an essential tool for living. More people are using internet-based communications to stay in touch with friends and family, conduct business and access information. Older people with low internet skills are unable to conduct business or access important services over the web. They can be isolated from their community and family at a time in their lives when feeling connected is very important. In short, they are often on the wrong side of ‘the digital divide’.
This study set out to explore what older Australians who never or rarely use the internet know about the types of online products and services available to them, and how they might use these to improve their daily life. It has identified the barriers to internet use that exist for the over 50s, and what kind of support is needed to overcome these and bridge the digital divide.
To download the report click here
Wendesday, 28th September 2011
Facts & Figures: Financial Concerns and Obtaining Professional Financial Advice
As noted in the previous fact sheet update, Dr. Tim Higgins, Dr. Steven Roberts and colleagues from the Australian National University are working on a large project examining the expenditure and financial behaviour of older Australians. They have produced two new fact sheets based on this study covering the financial concerns of National Seniors Australia members (Fact Sheet 4) and patterns of obtaining professional financial advice (Fact Sheet 5).
The project includes a significant survey of the behaviours of National Seniors Australia members. The project is funded by an ARC linkage grant in conjunction with support from AMP, Rice Warner Actuaries and in-kind support from the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre.
To read the two new Fact Sheets from this project, click here
Thursday, 22nd September 2011
Facts & Figures: Investment Literacy
Dr. Tim Higgins, Dr. Steven Roberts and colleagues from the Australian National University are working on a large project examining the expenditure and financial behaviour of older Australians. The project includes a significant survey of the behaviours of National Seniors Australia members. The project is funded by an ARC linkage grant in conjunction with support from AMP, Rice Warner Actuaries and in-kind support from the National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre. This first fact sheet examines levels of financial literacy among older Australians and how it differs by age and gender. Further fact sheets derived from this project will be published soon along with a final substantive report in October/November of 2011.
To read the first report from the project, click here
Thursday, 15th September 2011
Facts & Figures: Journey Time to Visit Family & Friends
Dr. Heather Booth, Dr Robert Ackland, Dr Tim Windsor and colleagues are working on a larger project on the social activity and wellbeing of older Australians. The Social Network and Ageing Project (SNAP) is funded by an ARC linkage grant in conjunction with National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre. Further fact sheets derived from this project will be published at six montly intervals with a final report published at the projects conclusion.
To read the first fact sheet from SNAP, click here
Wednesday, 14th September 2011
PAC Sponsors Keynote Address at the ERA 2011 Conference
PAC is pleased to sponsor the keynote address of Prof. Peter McDonald at the Emerging Researchers in Ageing (ERA) 2011 National Conference. The ERA conference is taking place on 24-25 November 2011 at the John Niland Scientia Building, University of New South Wales, Sudney. Peter McDonald will be speaking on Population Ageing and its Implications for the Australian Labour Force.
Peter McDonald is Professor of Demography and Director of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute (ADSRI) at the Australian National University. He is also a member of PACs Research and Education Advisory Committee.
ERA is the only national conference in Australia focusing exclusively on the work of higher degree research students undertaking research in ageing across a range of disciplines. Now in its tenth year, the conference presents a unique opportunity for higher degree research students to come together to share their research. Policy, practice and consumer representatives are also encouraged to attend.
For more information on the conference, click here
Monday, 12th September 2011
New Publication: Facts & Figures
As of April 2011, PAC has developed a new publication format and schedule. In addition to the existing PAC Research Reports, we will also be publishing 1-2 page brief overviews of interesting statistics from ageing research (Facts & Figures) and more detailed reports (PAC Research Monographs).
Prof. Simon Kelly from Kelly Research is working on a larger project on the household costs facing older Australians. In our first PAC Facts and Figures publication, Prof. Kelly investigates recent changes in the CPI (Consumer Price Index) in the context of Older Australians living expenses.
To read more, click here
Monday, 5th September 2011
2011 Grant Announcement
Many high-quality applications were received in this year's grant round. After careful review, two applications were selected for funding in this round (see below). These projects addressed pertinent issues for Australian seniors and offered clearly defined outputs and practical applications. Work will soon commence on these projects, with results made available in mid to late 2012.
Patterns of Intergenerational Transfers of Time and Money in Australia
Principal Investigator: Prof. Graeme Hugo (University of Adelaide)
The Role of Financial Anxiety in Older Australians’ Retirement Saving Decisions
Principal Investigator: Prof. Paul Gerrans (University of Western Australia)
To read more, click here
Tuesday, 30th August 2011
New Research Report - The Ageing Experience of Australians from Migrant Backgrounds
One in five Australians aged 50 and over were born in non-English-speaking countries, numbering more than 1 million people.
The Ageing Experience of Australians from Migrant Backgrounds digs deeper into the 2006 Census – the first to collect a range of data that can be used to examine productive ageing and wellbeing of older Australians – to provide a detailed picture of this large and significant group.
The results highlighted in this report are sometimes surprising and certainly deserve wider recognition.
It shows that older Australians from migrant backgrounds differ in their social and economic well-being according to country of origin and ancestry suggesting that cultural factors and migration experiences influence their ageing experiences.
This report is about quantifying these different ageing experiences
To download the latest publication " The Ageing Experience of Australians from Migrant Backgrounds" click here
Productive Ageing Research Grants 2011
The National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre invites research proposals that address priority issues relating to productive ageing. Two or more innovative projects will be funded that have clear outcomes and benefits for seniors and the general public.
The 2011 Grant round is now open. The closing date for applications is Saturday, 30th July 2011.
For futher information click here.
Research Report - Growing Plants Growing People: Older Volunteers in Botanic Gardens
This report sets out to explore older people’s engagement in volunteering at botanic gardens. It investigated what roles they played, what benefits they gained and what impact their efforts had.
The study confirmed and quantified their value of volunteering to older Australians. For most volunteers, the personal benefits included feeling valued, meeting other people and keeping an active mind. There were also benefits for botanic gardens, garden staff and the wider community.
To download the publication "Growing Plants, Growing People" click here.
Research Report - Elephant in the Room: Age Discrimination in Employment
The Elephant in the Room: Age Discrimination in Employment reveals that age discrimination is alive and well in the workplace but often covert and notoriously difficult to prove.
The Trust of the report is that awareness of age discrimination law leads often to nimble side-stepping – compliance with the letter rather than the spirit of the law. Recruitment advertisements no longer mention age but resort to euphemisms.
To download the publication "Elephant in the Room: Age Discrimination in Employment" click here.
Monday, 30th April 2012
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