Data reveals almost half of survey respondents aged 65+ years do not feel heard or understood.

Meaningful Ageing Australia, research data shows almost half of Australian survey respondents (41.8 percent) aged over 65 years do not feel their identity is truly heard or understood by their loved ones.

The national online study, comprising 1000 Australians aged over 65 years, indicated 55.6 percent of respondents would feel more content if asked more frequently about their lives and identity, highlighting the importance of seeing older people for the whole person they truly are.

Commissioned as part of Meaningful Ageing Australia’s campaign initiative See Me. Know Me, the data supports the campaign’s objective for older people to have their stories, beliefs, and experiences heard by their closest connections and aged care providers.

Survey data further revealed the following as top ranked concerns when considering ageing (listed in order):
• The lack of Government and/or aged care support;
• Not being able to do the things they love;
• Loss of freedom;
• Becoming a burden on family members, and;
• Feeling less connected to those that matter.

When considering their greatest sources of hope, being with people that care was the most prominently ranked by respondents (62.4 percent), followed by children (61.6 percent), grandchildren (59.5 percent), and interacting with elements of nature such as gardening, watching the sunset or walking outside (48.8 percent).

As well as promoting time spent connecting with loved ones, See Me. Know Me. encourages seniors to select aged care providers that see beyond their grey hair and lines, and understands them as a whole person as much as their clinical needs; an Australian-first for driving change by empowering seniors. Meaningful Ageing Australia as an organisation emphasises the necessity for Australians to begin seeing their older loved ones for who they truly are, to empower them to feel heard when choosing aged care providers.