Retirement living linked to better health outcomes and reduced hospital visits, report finds

By Newsdesk

April 23 2024
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The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has welcomed the findings of the Australian Medical Association's (AMA) annual Public Hospital Report Card, which highlights the potential for age-friendly retirement communities to improve health outcomes for older Australians and reduce the burden on public hospitals.

According to the report, Australians over the age of 65 accounted for more than 40 per cent of total separations from public hospitals in 2021–22 and 47 per cent of the total patient days occupying hospital beds. The number of beds per 1,000 Australians aged over 65 has also fallen to a record low of 14.3.

RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon said, "Age-friendly retirement villages are leading to better health outcomes for older Australians because they are purpose designed and put social interaction at their core."

Research shows that retirement village residents are 20 per cent less likely to require hospitalisation after just nine months of living in these communities, resulting in 14,000 avoided annual hospitalisations across Australia. Compared to those living outside retirement communities, residents are also 15 per cent more physically active, 41 per cent happier, five times more socially active, twice as likely to catch up with family or friends, and have reduced levels of depression and loneliness.

These improved health outcomes generate $945 million in annual savings for the Australian Government while also freeing up aged care beds for increasing demand.

Gannon called on governments to support the development of more age-friendly housing, stating, "Given the issues highlighted in this report from the AMA and the impending demographic 'silver tsunami', governments need to do everything they can to unleash more housing supply, that keeps people healthier and happier for longer."

The RLC has urged the Prime Minister to include retirement units in the Australian Government's 1.2 million new homes target and remove financial barriers such as eligibility for Commonwealth Rent Assistance and age pension means testing.

Retirement living linked to better health outcomes and reduced hospital visits, report finds

The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has welcomed the findings of the Australian Medical Association's (AMA) annual Public Hospital Report Card, which highlights the potential for age-friendly retirement communities to improve health outcomes for older Australians and reduce the burden on public hospitals.

According to the report, Australians over the age of 65 accounted for more than 40 per cent of total separations from public hospitals in 2021–22 and 47 per cent of the total patient days occupying hospital beds. The number of beds per 1,000 Australians aged over 65 has also fallen to a record low of 14.3.

RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon said, "Age-friendly retirement villages are leading to better health outcomes for older Australians because they are purpose designed and put social interaction at their core."

Research shows that retirement village residents are 20 per cent less likely to require hospitalisation after just nine months of living in these communities, resulting in 14,000 avoided annual hospitalisations across Australia. Compared to those living outside retirement communities, residents are also 15 per cent more physically active, 41 per cent happier, five times more socially active, twice as likely to catch up with family or friends, and have reduced levels of depression and loneliness.

These improved health outcomes generate $945 million in annual savings for the Australian Government while also freeing up aged care beds for increasing demand.

Gannon called on governments to support the development of more age-friendly housing, stating, "Given the issues highlighted in this report from the AMA and the impending demographic 'silver tsunami', governments need to do everything they can to unleash more housing supply, that keeps people healthier and happier for longer."

The RLC has urged the Prime Minister to include retirement units in the Australian Government's 1.2 million new homes target and remove financial barriers such as eligibility for Commonwealth Rent Assistance and age pension means testing.

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