The grey ghettos: seniors on the fringes doing it tough

A landmark analysis of census data shows that a “wellbeing divide” is emerging among older Australians, with housing the key issue. The Index of Wellbeing for Older Australians identified the areas where seniors with the lowest level of wellbeing lived, and the factors that contributed most to their low wellbeing. The study’s online maps showing the geographic patterns of wellbeing in each jurisdiction added further weight to international evidence that a wellbeing divide among older Australians was emerging. Relying on the age pension for their income, getting around without a car, and living in rental or public housing, Australian seniors doing it tough are living in large numbers on the fringes of the capital cities.