Research consistently shows a strong link between active ageing and various aspects of healthy ageing such as longevity, quality of life and overall wellbeing. Healthy ageing is about creating the environments and opportunities that enable people to be and do what they value throughout their lives (World Health Organization 2024).
Challenges faced by older people
Challenges for older people include chronic diseases, social isolation and injury from falls. However, maintaining healthy behaviours and supporting environments and addressing ageism and elder abuse are key to promoting healthy ageing.
People who are 55 years of age and older are more likely to experience many of the risk factors that can case or exacerbate social isolation and loneliness. Increased risk of isolation is due to factors such as retirement, changes in health, loss of loved ones and decreased mobility.
Falls are a major cause of injury for older people.
Figure 1: Hospitalisations due to a fall per 100,000 residents aged 65+.
- Older people are vulnerable to extreme heat. Nighttime heat is particularly harmful if they lack air conditioning.
- Alcohol-related disease is more evident among older people. Bereavement, retirement, loneliness and depression can lead to higher alcohol use.
- Up to 15% of older people may experience elder abuse. The real number is likely much higher because elder abuse is often not reported.
Source: Carr et al. 2024, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing 2023 and Seniors online Victoria 2025.
Demographics of older people in Boroondara
- 51,454 Boroondara residents are 55+
- 54.3% of Boroondara residents aged 55+ are women
- 18.0% of Boroondara residents aged 55+ live alone.
Source: 2021 Census.
Just over half (50.4%) of Boroondara residents aged 55+ have at least one long-term health condition (Figure 2).
Figure 2: Rates of diagnosed long-term conditions in Boroondara adults aged 55+.
Source: 2021 Census.
Projected population changes for older residents
The number of Boroondara residents aged 55+ is forecast to grow (by around 3,700 people between 2025 and 2035), but they will account for a similar proportion of the Boroondara population (Table 1). However, as shown in Table 1, the proportion of residents aged 75+ is projected to increase from 9.2% in 2025 to 10.7% by 2035 (a 1.5 percentage point rise).
Table 1: Forecast Boroondara population composition by age group.
Age group (years) | 2025 | 2035 | Change in population % 2025-2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
0 to 54 | 70.1% | 69.9% | -0.1% |
55 to 64 | 11.8% | 10.4% | -1.3% |
65 to 74 | 8.9% | 8.9% | 0.0% |
75 to 84 | 6.3% | 6.7% | 0.4% |
85 and over | 2.9% | 4.0% | 1.1% |
Total population | 100% | 100% |
|
Source: Id Forecast July 2024.
19.9% of Boroondara residents aged 55+ volunteer, compared to 17.9% of residents aged 15 to 54.
Source: 2021 Census.