Over the next two decades the number of people in Australia aged over 75 will double. The generation of baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) is often described in aggregate as the wealthiest and potentially healthiest generation in Australia’s history. Many have suggested that they will not only change the face of ageing, but also profoundly influence Australia’s broader economy and society. The coming demographic shifts are often portrayed as a ‘crisis’ or a threat to Australia’s standard of living.

At the Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) we have a different perspective. We see the coming change in Australia’s demographic landscape as fostering enormous opportunities. We look at what is happening across the country amongst baby boomers, across the service provider sector, in civil society, the private sector and in government and what we see is that the coming two decades and beyond marks the beginning of a new age of innovation.

Through the foresight of the JO & JR Wicking Trust, we have an opportunity to bring together those people, groups, organisations and institutions who similarly see the opportunities ahead to have a different conversation and sow the seeds for different solutions about what it means to ‘age well’ in Australia, and how we can ensure that all people in Australia can access opportunities to age well, rather than this being only an option for those who are wealthy and healthy.

This is the first report in a series as we open an invitation to be part of this movement towards what we are terming
‘The Innovation Age’.

At TACSI we see social innovation as focussing around two essential ingredients; starting with people, and focussing on what it takes to build better outcomes at a systems level.

Over the last few months we have focussed particularly on the first of these. We have spent time with a diversity of baby boomers, understanding how they see this idea of ‘ageing well’.

A great deal of research has already been carried out about what it means to ‘age well’. Much of this research outlines some big themes that are believed to help people to remain well and active into older age. We wanted to hear what these themes mean in the context of people’s lives. And we wanted to hear about what happens when people don’t have experiences of, or don’t have opportunities to ‘age well’.

This report documents what baby boomers told us and how that has helped us to find a good place to start innovating.