Why ageing well at home matters
Growing older in the comfort of our own homes allows us to maintain independence and stay connected to our communities.
Ageing at home is more than just a personal preference; it can lead to a healthier, more fulfilling life and a sustainable healthcare system.
The Central Coast Health & Wellbeing Living Lab is focused on collaborating to create solutions that make it easier for older adults to age well at home.
Connect with the Central Coast Living Lab!
Are you an older person, caregiver or healthcare professional interested in health and wellbeing?
Our Ageing Population
One in six Australians (or 16% if our population) is 65 years of age or older.
In the next 40 years, the number of Australians over 65 will grow to nearly 25% of our total population.
The Central Coast has one of the largest populations of older people in NSW, with more than one quarter of residents aged 60 or over.
An additional 22,954 older people 70-84 years (61 per cent increase) are expected on the Central Coast by 2031, and an additional 4,672 people aged over 85 years (46 per cent increase) by 2031.
The life expectancy for non-Indigenous Australians is growing. For non-Indigenous people born in 2020-2022, the average life expectancy for Australians was 80.6 years for males and 83.8 years for females.
For First Nations people born in 2020–2022, life expectancy is 71.9 years and 75.6 years for females.
Australia enjoys one of the highest life expectancies in the world, ranking 4th out of the 38 member OECD countries.
Ageing at Home
Ageing at home means living in a place that feels right for you, with the support you need, staying connected to your community, and keeping your independence, no matter where "home" is.
In Australia, most older adults express a desire to age at home.
Ageing at home is also known as "ageing in place".
Ageing at home increases quality of life by supporting autonomy, choice and independence.
Home, wherever that is, can provide a platform for maintaining connections with friends, family and social networks. This connection supports positive mental and emotional wellbeing.
Familiarity with the environment encourages active engagement in the community and fosters a sense of belonging.
Supporting Older People On The Central Coast
The Central Coast has one of the largest populations of older people in NSW, with more than one-quarter of its residents aged 60 or over.
It’s also home to the Central Coast Health and Wellbeing Precinct, which makes the region the ideal location to experiment with new ways that help us age well at home. The precinct includes:
Gosford Hospital: a principal referral hospital networked with Wyong Hospital in the north of the region and sub-acute and community facilities and services across the region.
The Central Coast Research Institute: a joint venture between the Central Coast Local Health District and the University of Newcastle to deliver translational research into integrated care
The University of Newcastle’s Central Coast Clinical School: a health, medicine and wellbeing teaching and education facility that operates alongside the Central Coast Research Institute.
The region also boasts strong healthcare partnerships with Aboriginal organisations and primary care providers.