GERONTOLOGY

Gerontology

Gerontology

The literature on older people and ageing in western industrialised countries is replete with negative assumptions and evidence of ageism. A belief that old age is a time of worry, fear, loss and decline has been evident in the literature for over fifty years (Wilson 1967, Diefenbach, Stanley and Beck 2001). While some research (Wisocki et al 1986, Diener et al 2009, Neikrug 2003) suggests that this is not the case, the myth lives on, and the media has played a role in perpetuating it, frequently portraying older people as weak and defenceless (Roberts and Zhou 2007). A qualitative study reported that older Australians report perceptions of ageism in their daily lives--being made to 'feel old'--with demoralising and limiting consequences (Minichiello, Browne and Kendig 2000).

Australia is a culturally diverse country, with one in five older Australians born overseas in non-English speaking countries, as well as others who are part of the Indigenous population of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. Little is known about how these individuals age productively and contribute to society. Survey data show that they are less likely to volunteer for an organisation than other older people, yet it may be that they contribute to civil society in alternate ways that are generally unrecognised and unacknowledged. In the absence of a general lack of understanding of how older Australians from diverse cultural backgrounds contribute to community, the aim of the present paper is to explore this topic using qualitative data from a larger study of the lived experiences of older Australians. Findings suggest that respondents are very active within their families and communities in ways that differ from mainstream older Australians. Generally, they have an important role in maintaining or promoting their culture; and providing support across their communities based on common experience. In particular, respondents describe a special relationship with the young within their communities. This includes being a grandparent or elderly advisor, as well as the role that many Indigenous elders play in encouraging and supporting troubled young people. Although further and more representative studies of older Australians are now needed, this paper, nevertheless, begins to explore what has been a neglected area of ageing policy and research.

Family First believes older Australians have a wealth of knowledge and experience, which deserves to be valued and respected as playing a vital role in the formation of new generations. As such, Family First will work to foster the full participation of seniors in Australian families, communities and society by

•Supporting initiatives that reward the mentoring of younger Australians in the areas of life skills, family and work skills

•Supporting initiatives to raise the status and value of the contribution of older Australians in society, communities, families and the workplace through educational strategies and incentive structures

•Encouraging programs that integrate the elderly into society through flexible options for paid and voluntary work, mentoring and social activities and recreation

•Address the needs of Older Australians with Carer responsibilities as a matter of ...