Retirement Living Council calls for focus on seniors’ housing as population ages

The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has urged governments across Australia to prioritise age-friendly housing solutions in response to new data revealing an ageing population.

Recently released figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for 2023 show:

7% of the population in capital cities is aged over 75
9.4% of the population outside capital cities is over 75
Over 55s make up 26% of the population in capital cities
Over 55s account for 34% of the population outside capital cities

RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon highlighted the need for all levels of government to address the challenges of housing an ageing population.

“We have known about our ageing population for a long time now, but governments seem flat-footed in their response to accommodating and caring for this growing cohort of older Australians,” Mr Gannon said.

He pointed out that over the next two decades, the number of Australians over 75 will increase by 85%, which will have significant socio-economic impacts.

Mr Gannon emphasised the potential benefits of increasing age-friendly housing supply, citing current pressures on healthcare and aged care systems.

“Hospital beds are already full, ambulances are ramping in most capital cities, aged care facilities are at capacity and most retirement villages have lengthy waiting lists,” he said.

The RLC is advocating for more retirement villages, highlighting their positive impact on residents’ health and wellbeing. According to Mr Gannon, retirement village residents are:

41% happier
20% less likely to require hospitalisation after nine months
15% more physically active
Five times more socially active
Twice as likely to catch up with family or friends
Have reduced levels of depression and loneliness

Mr Gannon argued that these communities help minimise older Australians’ interactions with healthcare services and delay entry into taxpayer-funded aged care, saving the government an estimated $945 million annually.

He also noted that when older Australians move into retirement villages, it frees up housing supply for younger families.

The RLC is calling on governments to take decisive action to address the housing needs of Australia’s ageing population, emphasising the broader societal benefits of age-friendly housing solutions.