The Role of Older Australians in Family Life - Assignment Example

The Role of Older Australians in Family Life Introduction One may wonder about the significance of considering the older generation’s role to familylife in Australia. Actually, these older Australians may not have the physical ability to work anymore and earn money for the community but they have the experience and knowledge to contribute to the younger generation (Anonymous, n.d.). The lessons that these older people can share to the youngsters of Australia are vital to the formation of a new generation, one which is able to face the challenges of life with clear aims and complete tools. Moreover, older Australians are effective in guiding newly married couples who are planning to have their own family. Contrary to other countries which are giving little importance or no importance at all to older people, Australia recognizes the essential role that older people assume in the society. They specifically believe that older Australians play an active and significant role in family life. This recognition serves as a proof that Australians are indeed family-oriented. As such, for the purpose of this essay, the older Australian’s family life, living arrangements and inter-generational role shall be discussed. Also, the change of their roles and activities beyond eighty years of age shall be analyzed. Family Life Generally, when one reaches the old age, he or she is somehow considered as irrelevant to the economic growth of a community. One may base this argument on the fact that old people often retire from work and are eventually left at home. This consequence is viewed by some as disadvantageous to one’s family as well as to the government. The reason of which primarily revolves around the idea on “financial cost.” On the part of the family concerned, the presence of old people at home means “additional dependents.” With regard to the government’s side, an increase of the ageing population which is higher than the rate of those newly born means lesser workforce and more funding of services like healthcare and medicine. In connection, Australia is observed to have been experiencing a problem on “ageing population” (De Vaus, Gray & Stanton, 2003). For older Australians (aging sixty five years and older), family life consists of two important matters, living arrangement and inter-generational role. Living arrangement refers to the kind of dwelling place (private or non-private) that these older people have chosen and whether or not they are living with family members. In such case, the following determinants shall be considered: (1) living alone (solitary living) (2) living with family members (co-residence with others) and (3) living in an aged care facility (institutional living) (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2005). Solitary living happens when an older person lives alone (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2005). The reason of which can either be due to the fact that the older person does not have any children or it is just his or her personal choice. Co-residence with others occurs when an older individual lives with family members (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, 2005). These family members can consist of a sibling, one of the children or grandchildren. On the other hand, institutional living takes place when an older person dwells in a private or public aged care facility. With regard to inter-generational role, this pertains to the responsibility that older people assume in the Australian community from generation to generation. It has been found out that a great number of older Australians are living in private homes while only about six percent are living in non-private residences (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2007). This means that living alone and co-residence with others are mostly favored by older Australians rather than living in aged care institutions. Nonetheless, it has been revealed that majority of older persons chose to live with family members (AIHW, 2007). In fact, in the year 2006, almost sixty percent of older people opted to reside with their spouse in couple households while only twenty nine percent preferred to live alone in a private dwelling (AIHW, 2007). This inclination is normal and expected due to filial relationship. An older person can find comfort and security together with his or her children and relatives. In such case, one can say that many families in Australia prefer to have their parents or grandparents living with them. In this sense, it can be stated that Australians care much about the plight of their old parents and grandparents. They wanted them to be safe and secured. They do not want them to feel lonely and isolated from social affairs unlike those older people who are in solitary living. To note, older people living alone are often associated with unmarried men and women. Nevertheless, it has been reported that unmarried older men tend to ask for outside assistance more than unmarried older women (AIHW, 2007). According to Yeh and Lo, the reason of this phenomenon is that unmarried older women have stronger social networks compared to unmarried older men (cited in AIHW, 2007). Older Australians actively contribute to family life as well as to the community as a whole (AIHW, 2007). As a proof, it has been discovered that Australian citizens aging sixty five years old and over are either providing unpaid household, unpaid assistance to outside people, do volunteer works and actively join community organizations (AIHW, 2007). De Vaus et al. consider these acts as significant contributions to the Australian society (cited in AIHW, 2007). Unpaid household refers to either of the following domestic works: doing household chores, child care, and others (De Vaus, Gray & Stanton, 2003). At most, older Australians provide unpaid assistance through their sharing of practical advices (AIHW, 2007). This form of aid can actually be likened to “consultation.” In this case, the older individual hears the concerns of the younger person and after which gives his or her relevant advices. The older Australian is considered to have the authority to give recommendations to the youth based on his or her experience and expertise. This is the rationale behind the concept of inter-generational responsibility. Relevantly, Family First, one of the political parties in Australia rewards older people who mentor younger Australians in the key areas of life, family and work (Anonymous, n.d.). Changing Family Life As one reaches the age of eighty years old, substantial changes transpire in one’s life. It is a rare circumstance wherein one can see an eighty year old who is still able to exert much effort to work and earn money. Oftentimes, one can find them in a corner stitching or doing something else commensurate to their physical ability. In Australia, some citizens aging eighty years old and over are observed to be spending time by doing things they like at their own residences. These activities range from overseeing and raising their grandchildren at home to gardening and other recreational activities wherein they could still do well (Council on the Ageing, 2008). Others are busy doing volunteer works and utilizing services offered by the government like free check-ups and medicines. There are actually many organizations in Australia promoting the welfare of the old people like the Council on the Ageing (COTA). People in Australia who are aging eighty years old and beyond are mostly found to be living in private homes (AIHW, 2007). Only a few numbers of them are living in aged care facilities and hospitals. In the usual case, unmarried men and women upon reaching such age prefer to live in an aged care institution. This is due to the fact that they can have all the assistance that they need in such facility. They can be assured that someone would be there for them when they get sick. There will be employees to handle the matters that they usually do in the past (Department of Health and Ageing, 2007). This is often considered as practical for them. Although more women are unmarried than men in Australia, men are more prone to experience the feeling of loneliness than women. Significantly, only a small percentage of those very old who formerly live with family members are sent to non-private dwellings, about twenty six percent of them (AIHW, 2007). The option to send them in residential age care homes is based on the fact that some families believe that the employees of these facilities have the competence and ability to provide these old people the best care and protection than they can give. On the issue of inter-generational responsibility, it is a contention that citizens aging eighty years old and over have limited roles to play in the Australian society. Due to their physical weakness, they can only be referred to for advices in the important areas of life, family and work. In such case, they are considered part of the vulnerable members of the state (Standing Committee on Community Affairs, 2008). As such, they need to be protected and provided with services that can enhance their well-being. Conclusion Older people are significant members of the Australian society although they have limited roles to play upon reaching eighty years of age. They may be physically incapable due to old age but they have the ability to form a new generation. Australia as a country has utilized the knowledge and expertise of these older people by supporting any initiative from them in teaching, guiding and advising the younger Australian generation with regard to the key areas of life, family and work. Reference List Anonymous, n.d. Older australians, aged care and careers. [pdf] Available at: http://www.familyfirst.org.au/documents/OLDERAUSTRALIANS.pdf [Accessed 6 September 2010]. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), 2007. Older australia at a glance. (Australian Government) [pdf] Available at: http://www.aihw.gov.au/publications/age /oag04/oag04.pdf [Accessed 6 September 2010]. Council on the Ageing (COTA), 2008. Policy Compendium. (National Policy Office) [Microsoft Word file] [Accessed 8 September 2010]. De Vaus, D., Gray M., & Stanton, D., 2003. Measuring the value of unpaid household, caring and voluntary work of older australians. (Australian Institute of Family Studies) [Online] Available at: http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/respaper/rp34.html [Accessed 6 September 2010]. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), 2005. Living arrangements of older persons around the world. (United Nations) [Online] Available at: http://www.un.org /esa/population/publications/livingarrangement/report.htm [Accessed 6 September 2010]. Department of Health and Ageing (DHA), 2007. Help with age care homes. (Australian Government) [Online] Available at: http://www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au/internet/agedcare /publishing.nsf/content/Living+in+an+aged+care+home#bodyContent [Accessed 8 September 2010]. Standing Committee on Community Affairs (SCCA), 2008. A decent quality of life: Inquiry into the cost of living pressures on older australians. (Commonwealth of Australia) [pdf] Available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/Committee/clac_ctte/older_austs_living_costs/report/report.pdf [Accessed 7 September 2010]. Read More