For many in the Church ‘age’ is a big question. Where are all the young people? Will we have any people in the pews in coming decades? Are all our priests too old? What about our ageing congregations? Can we as Catholics, take care of our ageing population?
“It is vital that older people are humanised and represented in mainstream culture, with their voices amplified, and the issues they face told in an accurate and inclusive way.
For many in the Church ‘age’ is a big question. Where are all the young people? Will we have any people in the pews in coming decades? Are all our priests too old? What about our ageing congregations? Can we as Catholics, take care of our ageing population?
Understanding ‘old age’ is a complicated matter and an issue that Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM is tackling.
A recent study commissioned by the Australian Human Rights Commission “Shaping Perceptions: how Australian media reports on ageing” found that negative stereotypes of older people, and the under-reporting or misrepresentation of the matters affecting them, are widely prevalent in mainstream media.
It also found a culture of negativity in the media towards ageing, which either overlooks or minimises important issues, excludes older people’s personal experiences, or portrays them as an economic or social burden. These perceptions are underpinned by a broader culture of ageism in the industry and in the wider Australian community.
Peter Golding admiring the latest addition to the family. At 96 he had just walked in the Anzac Day March. Or World War veteran lunching after the Anzac Day March and admiring the latest addition to the family. Image: Supplied.
“It is vital that older people are humanised and represented in mainstream culture, with their voices amplified, and the issues they face told in an accurate and inclusive way.
“There is a plethora of evidence, including from recent Royal Commissions, that clearly demonstrates the wellbeing of older people is not being sufficiently supported in practice,” said Commissioner Fitzgerald.
Australia has a rapidly ageing population due to increased life expectancy and declining fertility rates, but the matter is more nuanced than considering all people over the age of 65 to experience the same physical, mental, emotional and financial issues. There are many people in their 60s who have rapidly declining health issues, while there are independent 90-year-olds who do not require as much care.
As Catholics, we are called to take care of the elderly, and as one of the largest healthcare and aged care providers in Australia, this requires a broader effort. The Australian government is developing a new Aged Care Act to strengthen Australia’s aged care system, which will have implications for all healthcare providers and all Australians who will one day have to take care of ageing family members.
Commissioner Fitzgerald will be discussing all these matters in a free talk entitled “An Ageing Australia: Challenging church, society and all generations to a new future” on Sunday 27 October 1.30-3.00 in the crypt of St Patrick’s Church in Grosvenor St, The Rocks. Entry is by donation, with further details here: www.catalystforrenewal.org.au
