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HMS, HAG EQ-Bank 144

Analyse how Australia's ageing population creates both economic opportunities and healthcare challenges that require coordinated policy responses.   (8 marks)

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Overview Statement

  • Australia’s ageing population creates complex relationships between economic opportunities and healthcare challenges.
  • These reveal important connections between demographic changes and policy planning requirements.

Component Relationship 1

  • Extended work life opportunities demonstrate how healthier older Australians can contribute economically through continued workforce participation and volunteer roles.
  • Older workers bring valuable expertise, mentorship capabilities and institutional knowledge that benefits organisations and younger employees.
  • This relationship shows that demographic ageing can create positive economic outcomes when older people remain healthy and engaged in productive activities.
  • The significance reveals that policies supporting healthy ageing can extend economic productivity while reducing dependency ratios and pension system pressures through delayed retirement.

Component Relationship 2

  • However, increased healthcare demands create substantial challenges that require coordinated responses across multiple service sectors.
  • Growing numbers of people with chronic conditions like dementia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease place unprecedented pressure on hospitals, aged care facilities and community health services.
  • This relationship illustrates how population ageing fundamentally changes healthcare system requirements, demanding specialised services, trained workforces and infrastructure investments.
  • The implications show that without adequate planning, healthcare costs will escalate while service quality may decline due to capacity constraints.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These interconnected demographic patterns demonstrate that maximising ageing population benefits requires comprehensive policies addressing both economic participation and healthcare capacity.
  • Effective responses must coordinate workforce development, healthcare infrastructure and healthy ageing strategies.
Show Worked Solution

Overview Statement

  • Australia’s ageing population creates complex relationships between economic opportunities and healthcare challenges.
  • These reveal important connections between demographic changes and policy planning requirements.

Component Relationship 1

  • Extended work life opportunities demonstrate how healthier older Australians can contribute economically through continued workforce participation and volunteer roles.
  • Older workers bring valuable expertise, mentorship capabilities and institutional knowledge that benefits organisations and younger employees.
  • This relationship shows that demographic ageing can create positive economic outcomes when older people remain healthy and engaged in productive activities.
  • The significance reveals that policies supporting healthy ageing can extend economic productivity while reducing dependency ratios and pension system pressures through delayed retirement.

Component Relationship 2

  • However, increased healthcare demands create substantial challenges that require coordinated responses across multiple service sectors.
  • Growing numbers of people with chronic conditions like dementia, diabetes and cardiovascular disease place unprecedented pressure on hospitals, aged care facilities and community health services.
  • This relationship illustrates how population ageing fundamentally changes healthcare system requirements, demanding specialised services, trained workforces and infrastructure investments.
  • The implications show that without adequate planning, healthcare costs will escalate while service quality may decline due to capacity constraints.

Implications and Synthesis

  • These interconnected demographic patterns demonstrate that maximising ageing population benefits requires comprehensive policies addressing both economic participation and healthcare capacity.
  • Effective responses must coordinate workforce development, healthcare infrastructure and healthy ageing strategies.

HMS, HAG 2012 HSC 9 MC

What action has been taken to reduce the impact of an ageing population on the health care system in Australia?

  1. Increasing the Medicare levy for older people
  2. Reducing funding available to carers of older people
  3. Encouraging older people to remain in the work force
  4. Decreasing access to the health system for older people
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution
  • C is correct: Encouraging workforce participation reduces healthcare system burden.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Medicare levy increases would worsen healthcare access.
  • B is incorrect: Reducing carer funding increases healthcare system pressure.
  • D is incorrect: Restricting access contradicts healthcare equity principles.

HMS, HAG 2018 HSC 2 MC

Which of the following is an effect of a growing and ageing population?

  1. Decreased demand for carers
  2. Increased access to elective surgery
  3. Increased demand for health services
  4. Decreased number of people living with chronic disease
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\(C\)

Show Worked Solution

  • C is correct: Growing and ageing population increases demand for health services overall.

Other Options:

  • A is incorrect: Ageing population increases demand for carers, not decreases.
  • B is incorrect: Higher demand typically reduces access due to increased waiting times.
  • D is incorrect: Ageing population increases chronic disease prevalence, not decreases.

HMS, HAG 2020 HSC 21

Outline how a growing and ageing population can affect volunteer organisations. Provide an example to support your answer.  (3 marks)

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  • A growing and ageing population increases demand for volunteer services. More elderly people require assistance with daily activities, transport, and social support.
  • Simultaneously, the traditional volunteer workforce is also ageing. Many current volunteers are reaching retirement age or developing health issues. This reduces the available volunteer pool when demand is highest.
  • For example, St Vincent de Paul Society faces increased demand for home visits and support services. However, many volunteers are elderly themselves and may no longer manage physical tasks or transport requirements.
Show Worked Solution
  • A growing and ageing population increases demand for volunteer services. More elderly people require assistance with daily activities, transport, and social support.
  • Simultaneously, the traditional volunteer workforce is also ageing. Many current volunteers are reaching retirement age or developing health issues. This reduces the available volunteer pool when demand is highest.
  • For example, St Vincent de Paul Society faces increased demand for home visits and support services. However, many volunteers are elderly themselves and may no longer manage physical tasks or transport requirements.

HMS, HAG 2022 HSC 13 MC

The number of palliative care hospital admissions in Australia increased in the period 2013-2018.

Which of the following was the most significant factor that contributed to this increase?

  1. Increased prevalence of dementia and cancer
  2. Longer waiting times for elective surgery in public hospitals
  3. Increased mortality rates from diabetes and mental health illness
  4. A greater number of Australians participating in health screening programs
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\( A \)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Ageing population leads to increased dementia and cancer requiring palliative care.

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: Elective surgery delays don’t directly cause palliative admissions.
  • C is incorrect: Diabetes and mental health don’t typically require palliative care.
  • D is incorrect: Screening programs detect disease early, reducing palliative needs.

♦ Mean mark 53%.

HMS, HAG 2023 HSC 22

How does a healthy, ageing population affect Australia's health care system?   (4 marks)

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Sample answer

  • A healthy, ageing population reduces institutional care demands as older adults maintain independence longer. This decreases admissions to nursing homes and residential facilities, lowering government expenditure on expensive institutional services.
  • Consequently, hospital utilisation declines through fewer emergency presentations and shorter acute care stays. This creates capacity within existing hospital infrastructure for other patient populations.
  • However, healthcare demand shifts toward community-based services including home modifications, meal preparation and domestic assistance. The health system must reallocate resources from institutional settings to community support programs rather than reducing overall spending.

Show Worked Solution

Sample answer

  • A healthy, ageing population reduces institutional care demands as older adults maintain independence longer. This decreases admissions to nursing homes and residential facilities, lowering government expenditure on expensive institutional services.
  • Consequently, hospital utilisation declines through fewer emergency presentations and shorter acute care stays. This creates capacity within existing hospital infrastructure for other patient populations.
  • However, healthcare demand shifts toward community-based services including home modifications, meal preparation and domestic assistance. The health system must reallocate resources from institutional settings to community support programs rather than reducing overall spending.

HMS, BM 2024 HSC 3 MC

Which of the following is most likely to be contributing to the growing demand for carers and volunteers in Australia?

  1. An increase in life expectancy
  2. A decrease in chronic diseases
  3. An increase in government funding
  4. A decrease in the ageing population
Show Answers Only

\(A\)

Show Worked Solution
  • A is correct: Increased life expectancy directly contributes to the growing demand for carers and volunteers as more people are living longer, often with chronic conditions that require care.

Other Options:

  • B is incorrect: Chronic disease rates are actually increasing.
  • C is incorrect: This would potentially reduce demand by enabling more paid care options.
  • D is incorrect: The ageing population is increasing, not decreasing.