November 2023 | Newsletter 9
The Australian Bureau of Statistics tells us that Australians aged 65 years and over account for 16% of the population – and that figure is rising. Whether you’re concerned about your future self or a loved one, aged care is an issue most of us will have to manage at some time in our lives.
At the time of Federation, Australians at birth had an average life expectancy of around 55 years. The most common causes of death were infectious and parasitic diseases resulting from unsanitary sewerage and water systems, poor quality food and limited health education.
Improvements in public sanitation, health and medicine have seen lower death rates and longer life expectancies. Enhanced living standards meant we began living longer, cancer and heart disease became our most common causes of death.