Minister for Ageing, Ken Wyatt, gave a much applauded speech at the National Press Club two weeks ago.
He had several great themes. Here is an edited excerpt we particularly liked.
Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott from the London Business School in their publication “The 100 Year Life” state:
“If the child you are thinking about was born in the US, Canada, Italy or France there is a 50 percent chance that they will live until at least 104”.
“If the child you had in mind was born in Japan, then they can reasonably be expected to live to a staggering 107 years”.
These projections are the real deal.
For some, I know the word “ageing” still brings negative connotations, but I also believe it carries great potential – and as a society, an economy, and in government, we must have a vision, adapt our thinking, and adjust our attitudes and our actions, to reflect the opportunities that senior Australians have to offer.
The heart of my vision for ageing is ‘value”.
Valuing older people for who they are, not just in terms of economics, but for what they have done and continue to do – as grandparents, mentors, volunteers and givers of knowledge and experience.
Changing our mindset, and our concepts of growing older should be viewed as a strength in living to 100 years.
There are two periods of our life in which we a vulnerable – in our dawning years from birth, and our twilight years, when we are frail.
I want us to remember that when we are born we are held, and we are loved, unconditionally and we feel connected with those around us.
The need for holding, love and touch remains a strong reminder of the people in our lives.
And we keep that love – but what dismays me is that when we become old and life is busy we neglect each other too often and are left on our own without family contact.
Our love should not be conditional on a point in age, or because we drift away from those who once gave of themselves to care for us.
I have heard that up to 40 per cent of people in residential aged care have no visitors 365 days of the year. For those of you listening, I want you to cast your mind to the last time you told your mother, father, husband, wife or partner that you still love them and if you can hug them.
The essence of who we are is shaped by our culture, our heritage and our family.
