Without more active lifestyles, a growing older population will experience a poorer quality of life and suffocate the health and aged care system. But it doesn’t have to be this way, says Stephen Muggleton, group chief executive officer of national aged care provider Bolton Clarke.
Australia’s ageing population is growing. Over the next 40 years, it’s estimated the number of over-65s will double and the number of people aged 85+ will triple.
“Increased longevity can also lead to an expansion of morbidity. That is, our aged population spending more time managing a number of chronic health diseases and associated increased frailty,” Mr Muggleton told Community Care Review.
“While this may be accepted as a normal trajectory of ageing, it doesn’t have to be.”
The widespread adoption of allied health, exercise, reablement and restorative care approaches among older people and the aged care sector is part of the solution.
Mr Muggleton said that around the world it is being recognised that a positive approach to ageing that takes a whole-of-life approach and equips people to live well is critical to closing this gap.
“Beyond meeting basic needs, it’s about enabling people to stay connected, engaged, active and valued,” he said.
A truly integrated approach that looks at discrete health and aged care systems and incorporates welfare, community services, enhancing social participation and affordable and appropriate housing is needed to successfully implement this at a community level and national scale, Mr Muggleton said.
“We need to build services that support people to age positively. That starts with breaking down ageist attitudes, which overwhelmingly portray active and engaged older people as an anomaly and ignore what they have to say,” Mr Muggleton told CCR.
“Secondly, we need to stop taking a siloed approach to aged care. Ageing is just another word for living and our services need to reflect that and take a much more integrated, whole of life approach to helping people live and age well.”
Showing the way
Bolton Clarke – the platinum sponsor of Positive Ageing Summit 2025 – is already walking in its services, such as the social connection project Connect Local and more broadly including through the 2024 public positve ageing campaign. Representatives of the large provider will share their experience with delegates at the two-day conference in May.
“Bolton Clarke is among only 3 per cent of providers offering a full continuum of connected care and living options, and these services are underpinned by deep experience including our dedicated research institute and a team of senior clinical nurse advisers,” Mr Muggleton said.
“We work closely with clients and residents and alongside hospitals and healthcare providers offering a range of post-acute care, hospital in the home and transition care programs. Bolton Clarke Research Institute has developed a frailty screening tool that helps identify people at greatest risk, and we work to reverse frailty through evidence-informed falls prevention and reablement programs.
“We have a health and wellbeing approach across our retirement villages that’s informed by a biennial health survey of residents. One way we address their needs and those of the broader community is through our Be Healthy and Active health education sessions, which offer free practical sessions across 12 topics to seniors’ groups across Australia.”
Bolton Clarke’s approach is one of many in focus at Positive Ageing Summit 2025 – which includes a strong focus on allied health, reablement and advancements in business practices. The event features over 30 industry leaders sharing their expertise and experiences to give delegates the tools they need to achieve better outcomes in aged care.
Among them is expert Dr Claire Gough, who says reablement and restorative care approaches can enhance quality of life by empowering individuals to maintain or regain independence for as long as possible.
“However, the success of these programs relies on active engagement, motivation, and a shared commitment to achieving meaningful goals,” Dr Gough – a physiotherapist and research fellow at Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia – told CCR.
Reforms offer providers opportunities
The incoming strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards – which commence on 1 July with the new Aged Care Act – and the accompanying guidance material talk about allied health, independence, reablement and restorative care, meaning all providers will have to consider the health of their clients and associated pathways in the new era of aged care.
Dr Gough said that globally Australia has been slow in fully implementing best-practice reablement and restorative care approaches. But the introduction of the Restorative Care Pathway within the new Support at Home program marks a significant step forward, she said.
“Australia is set to lead internationally with the development of the Restorative Care Guidelines by the Department of Health and Aged Care. These guidelines will provide a clear framework for providers and support older people in maintaining their independence – making Australia the first country to establish such a comprehensive, evidence-informed approach.”
In addition to these opportunities, Positive Ageing Summit will address the barriers to aged care services taking up and embedding reablement and restorative care approaches and provide practical solutions to close the gaps.
Among the barriers, said Dr Gough, is a lack of understanding about what reablement and restorative care involve.
“Providers need to recognise the long-term benefits – not only in improving the independence and wellbeing of older people but also in potentially reducing long-term care demands,” she said. “Strong leadership and sector-wide support are essential to embedding these approaches into aged care services.”
PAS 2025 is an initiative of Australian Ageing Agenda and Community Care Review – find out more and book tickets on the Positive Ageing Summit 2025 website
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