Age is a fact of life. People don't suddenly change as they get older.
Except for the fact that our community sees them as older.
Older Australians are like the rest of the population and deserve equal treatment.
Many older Australians are living in their own homes. Many older Australians don’t need special care. But many also live dangerously close to the poverty line.
As we age, our needs change. One of the major impacts on our lives is leaving the workforce. Without regular wages coming in, many older Australians rely on the age pension.
| POVERTY LINE | $345.00 |
| AGE PENSION | $374.40 |
Could you pay for housing, food, bills and live on that?
But there are other ways that older Australians are left behind in our community.
Discrimination just based on age!
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Workers Comp
Workers compensation is not guaranteed for people over 65 years of age in all states/territories of Australia.
The Age Discrimination Act 2004 provides an exemption for any policy of insurance against accident or any other policy of insurance -
Drivers
Different licensing requirements exists across jurisdictions for drivers of heavy vehicales and public passenger vehicles. Some of the medical assessments are onerous and age related, which is potentially discriminatory.
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Tradespeople
Trade certificate requirements impose age limits by limiting accident and illness insurance for tradespeople over 60.
We can do two things to ensure older Australians are treated the same as everyone else:
- identify where our communities discriminates against older people
- change negative stereotypes by demonstrating all that is good about getting older.
RETIREMENT CHECKLIST:
Labrador. Check.
White shirt and shorts. Check.
One in four living in poverty.
Discuss this issue