ALA

 An
APIA Research Project.* 

“We share the interests, concerns and attitudes of
Australia’s Over 50s” 

There is much consistency in the key findings of the APIA Report, Over 50s which talks about new beginnings and new perspectives for this demographic.

The mood of Over 50s in
Australia is mostly optimistic. People like living in Australia and are proud of
Australia and its achievements.

They are well informed and realistic. They are prepared to question existing policies.

Over 50s plan to shape their future and intend to remain active in the workforce, education and community engagement as they believe this will benefit their mental and physical health.

One key finding is that Over 50s have a strong desire to keep learning and see technology as having an important impact on their life. They believe they have a lot to contribute; and believe they should not be made to retire or accept lower wages than others.

Their relationships are increasingly important to them; indeed they value family and friends as much as their parents did.

They acknowledge changing family structures but believe society can accommodate these. They also believe the family will remain at the centre of their lives.

This demographic are worried about:

·        Climate and global warming; they think
Australia should explore all its resources

·         National and personal security

·        Getting old as they want to remain independent as long as possible.

·        Their health, although medicine will assist them, there is concern with the quality of care they will receive.

·        The amount of pressure placed on families (financial and other)

Over 50s are sceptical about:

• ‘political correctness’
• multiculturalism
• immigration

They know they have ‘broken the rules’ and intend to keep doing so; many are not concerned about leaving  anything for their children although they are concerned that ‘money is too easily lent’ and many families ‘want it all’.

Tying in with this is the realisation that that they may not have saved enough to fund their own retirement but this does not overtly worry them.

There were only subtle differences when the research was broken down into more discrete ages and sexes:

• Males aged 50 -54 placed priority on continuous education. They valued advances in technology but were concerned that political correctness was stopping debate on key issues. These men wished to retire when it suited them.
• Males aged 55 -64 were aware of the financial pressures placed on families but were likely to spend all they had.
• Males aged 65 -75 were confident about their life experiences. They were aware of the changes to family structures and values and concerned about the impact of drugs on society. They were aware of mental and physical health issues.
• Females aged 50 -54 were worried about the pressures on families – the need for two incomes, problems with child-care and time spent away from children. They were conscious of how changes in the community were affecting relationships and hence tended to become more religious or spiritual.

Being aware of the importance of emotional and physical health, they were prepared to consider different types of health and medical practices.

• Females aged 55 -64 were worried about retirement savings. They believed they should have saved more but readily adjusted to their circumstances and participated in much volunteer work.

Personal security was a concern.

• Females aged 65 -75 had maintained community links. Although not enamoured with new technology, they believed in continuous education. They remained financially confident because they believed wealth was not necessary for a happy retirement.

Most Over 50s are confident about their future. They see themselves as being able to contribute to building and maintaining a stable and unique nation well into the future.

• 
  APIA is a business partner of Adult Learning Australia. The information in this report was drawn from recent APIA research which is one of
  Australia’s largest and most comprehensive research projects. A copy of
  APIA’s Understanding Over 50’s research can be obtained from Ron Burke Corporate Affairs Manager, by writing to ron_burke@aai.com.au