To date, little is known about what older Victorians want or expect from their healthcare as they age or how these priorities may change over time. There is also a need to understand the influence of interactions with the health system at different points throughout the ageing process and across the care continuum. Knowledge about this is important because many of the challenges that confront individual older people as they age can be planned for, predicted and amended.

This report presents the results of consumer consultation that was commissioned by the Older People Policy area within the Victorian Department of Health. It is designed to explore what older people consider important in relation to their health and wellbeing throughout later life by focusing on 6 identified stages of ageing. These stages are in keeping with general trends across the life course for the general population:

1. Healthy and active ageing
2. Managing multi-mobility and/or frailty in the community
3. Healthcare in a crisis for sudden health issues
4. Regaining independence after being unwell
5. Needing specialist aged care support
6. Requiring end of life care