Probing tensions between housing and age friendly communities policies for future direction

Population aging is a significant issue for Australia and across the globe. There are known links between health and housing for all age groups. Health inequalities widen with insecure tenure. The number of older people in private rental is increasing and rates of dementia within the community are increasing whereas aged care placements are decreasing as a percentage of the population in line with aging in place policies. Aging, and age related illness such as dementia need to be better understood as a life stage that brings benefits to society and to landlords. Looking towards the future, there needs to be new focus on housing for the aged at the policy and practical levels that allows older people to age in place, particularly renters, preferably in a home that they are familiar with, definitely in a neighbourhood that is familiar to them. There also needs to be genuine engagement with landlords that highlight the needs of an aging population including those with dementia as they age in place. We suggest a five stage approach to achieving this.