Wesley Mission report reveals Queensland’s older women poverty experiences

 With more than 39,544 women aged 65 and over across Queensland currently ‘doing it tough’, it is important to understand the multidimensional nature of poverty and disadvantage, and the diversity of experiences of women across the state.

Across Queensland, it has been identified that:

• Decreasing quality of life standards after retirement, particularly for those undergoing divorce or separation
• Women have significantly lower superannuation than men, threatening their housing security and often related to a dependence on their partners
• Women are disproportionally more likely than men to be seeking homelessness services and assistances due to interpersonal relationships and domestic and family violence
• Women suffer significant anxiety over their future economic, social and environmental stability, associating feelings of shame with being in poverty, exacerbating the severity of their experience, and their willingness to reach out for assistance, and
• Different experiences as a result of place-based disadvantage, especially for a number of women experiencing geographic isolation as a result of living in regional, rural and remote areas.

It is clear from our research that older women’s experience of poverty and disadvantage is highly individualised, and influenced by a number of factors including where they live.

Over the next 20 years, the continued growth and ageing of Queensland’s population will present a number of challenges for all levels of government, business, service providers and the community as a result of the likely decline in the rates of home ownership, along with cost of living increases and growing demand for targeted services and support.

Critical issues for older women include:

• The need for affordable, secure and appropriate housing
• Support for ageing in place no matter where you live
• Financial independence and security
• Access to essential services, particularly health, and
• Access to communication and support networks.

Without addressing these key elements, the number of older women susceptible to poverty and disadvantage is likely to increase. It is time for a strategic, coordinated and multi-sectoral response, such as the Queensland Government’s proposed Women’s Strategy, to ensure older women, particularly those on low incomes, are able to maintain a good quality of life.

This is an adapted version of a presentation given by Stephanie Wyeth at the Queensland Anti-poverty Week Rise Up breakfast, held in Brisbane on 16 October 2015. For further information of Wesley Mission Brisbane’s Christmas campaign click here.