Australia must create a national power-of-attorney register to tackle the insidious problem of elder abuse, with the nation facing a "perfect storm" over the next three decades.
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In an address to the National Press Club in Canberra on Wednesday, Age Discrimination Commissioner Kay Patterson will say the nation has an opportunity to create a more inclusive society as its population ages.
The former federal minister will warn Australia is set to record a doubling of the number of people aged 65 and over, which will coincide with the biggest transfer of intergenerational wealth in history.
It's estimated $3.5 trillion in assets will likely be passed on from baby boomers to the younger generations.
This will create a "perfect storm" of ageism, or an opportunity to stamp out the form of discrimination.
"We must pursue the biggest policy challenge that would have the most impact on the wicked problem that is elder abuse ... nationally consistent enduring powers-of-attorney across jurisdictions and a national enduring power-of-attorney register," she will say.
The policy idea, developed with other advocacy organisations, has remained on ice for more than 20 years.
"Harmonisation would make it easier for families to look after older family members in other jurisdictions, and for people to be educated about their rights and attorneys about their responsibilities," the former senator will say.
"We can build a better cultural inheritance for an ageing Australia, and in fact we must.
"I often say the culture we accept now will be the culture we inherit."
Data shows Australia will become the oldest it's ever been over the next 20 to 30 years.
"We must plan and invest in the outcomes we seek as a nation," Dr Patterson will say.
She will step down in July after seven years in the role.
Australian Associated Press
