Health and outlook of older Australians, 1984

The aim of this survey was to explore both the attitudes towards the aged in the Australian community generally, and the specific opinions and response of the aged population themselves towards their lifestyle and problems. There are three data sets for this survey: an attitudinal survey of a sample of the general population; a survey of people aged 55 years and over in private dwellings; and a smaller survey of older people living in nursing homes and hostels for the aged. The survey of the general population included questions on impressions of a series of statements made about the personal characteristics of older people; responses to a number of different attitudinal statements concerning older people and the community; and questions on frequency of contact with older people. The surveys of older people, both in private dwellings and nursing homes, were conducted in two stages. Stage one involved a personal interview in which respondents were asked for demographic information such as age group, marital status, occupation, current work status, time to or since retirement of self and spouse, birthplace, income sources, living arrangements and caring responsibilities. Other questions covered opinions on retirement, fears and concerns about growing older, feelings about general community attitudes towards the aged, information sources, health problems and available sources of help or advice. Stage two involved the mailing of a pamphlet to the respondent listing activities and programs which the respondent may currently be involved in, or be interested in. Respondents were reinterviewed by phone a week after receipt of the pamphlet, to gain detailed information on each of the activities and programs.