With the country's oldest population, Tasmania's demographics suggest a unique position heading into the federal government's Royal Commission into aged care.
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Announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on September 16, The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is expected to look into the quality of care provided to older Australians in residential and home aged care facilities – though terms of reference still remain to be set.
According to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, at June 2016 the median age of the Tasmanian population was the highest of all Australian states and territories at 42 years.
That median age is also increasing faster than the other states and territories, too.
The 3.1 year increase in Tasmania’s median age between 2006 and 2016 was the largest in the nation.
Both figures have increased in every local government area since 2011.
Research by Council of the Ageing Tasmania shows similar statistics to those presented by the ABS.
Data from their 2017 Liveable Communities Toolkit shows that the state’s over 65 population increased by 3.4 per cent from 2011 to 2016.
The national increase over the same period was 1.7 per cent.
The COTA data also dives deep into these changes at a local government area.
It shows the Glamorgan Spring Bay area had the highest median age in the state at 56 years.
The area also had the highest proportion of people aged over 65, at 32 per cent.
However, the fastest growth in these figures came is occurring elsewhere in the state.
Central Highlands saw the biggest increase in median age from 2011 to 2016, jumping from 45 to 50.
Latrobe recorded the greatest change in it’s proportion of people aged over 65, with an increase of 7.8 per cent.
COTA Tasmania chief executive Sue Leitch said Tasmania’s demographic makeup meant that issues around ageing were felt more acutely in the state.
“We've got the oldest population in Australia,” she said.
“In particular parts of the state we have high pockets of older people too.”
Ms Leitch said COTA Tasmania welcomed the royal commission, and pointed out the supply of services as a key concern.
“It seems to be a systemic issues across most of rural Tasmania,” she said.
It is anticipated the royal commission will look into the extent of substandard care, the challenges of providing care in the context of changing demographics and the increasing number of Australians suffering from dementia, and other matters it considers necessary.
Focus will also be given to young Australians with disabilities living in residential aged care settings.
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